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BIOLUMINESCENCE OF THE CTENOPHORE MNEMIOPSIS LEIDYI: FIRST FLASH KINETICS

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Date Issued:
2023
Abstract/Description:
The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is an opportunistic species that can be extremely abundant and invasive in many parts of the world. It is well known for its bright bioluminescence, but its light emission response to flow stimulation has not been rigorously quantified. The objective of this study is to determine the luminescent response of M. leidyi to several types of mechanical stimuli, an impeller pump with the Underwater Bioluminescence Assessment Tool (UBAT) bathyphotometer and stirring as the stimulus within an integrating sphere. Tests were conducted with three day old cydippid larvae, analyzing flash parameters of rise time, peak intensity, decay slope, decay time, total integrated emission, total mechanically stimulable luminescence (TMSL), integrated flash emission, and flash duration. There were four patterns of bioluminescent responses measured with the UBAT, but they did not have statistically different flash kinetics. For the integrating sphere, the average peak intensity and TMSL were much greater than for the UBAT due to the different forms of stimulation. This study provides a well-defined baseline of cydippid larvae flash responses which may be used for identifying this species at this life stage in situ.
Title: BIOLUMINESCENCE OF THE CTENOPHORE MNEMIOPSIS LEIDYI: FIRST FLASH KINETICS.
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Name(s): Blackburn, Abigail , author
Twardowski, Michael , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2023
Date Issued: 2023
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 107 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is an opportunistic species that can be extremely abundant and invasive in many parts of the world. It is well known for its bright bioluminescence, but its light emission response to flow stimulation has not been rigorously quantified. The objective of this study is to determine the luminescent response of M. leidyi to several types of mechanical stimuli, an impeller pump with the Underwater Bioluminescence Assessment Tool (UBAT) bathyphotometer and stirring as the stimulus within an integrating sphere. Tests were conducted with three day old cydippid larvae, analyzing flash parameters of rise time, peak intensity, decay slope, decay time, total integrated emission, total mechanically stimulable luminescence (TMSL), integrated flash emission, and flash duration. There were four patterns of bioluminescent responses measured with the UBAT, but they did not have statistically different flash kinetics. For the integrating sphere, the average peak intensity and TMSL were much greater than for the UBAT due to the different forms of stimulation. This study provides a well-defined baseline of cydippid larvae flash responses which may be used for identifying this species at this life stage in situ.
Identifier: FA00014341 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (MS)--Florida Atlantic University, 2023.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Mnemiopsis leidyi
Bioluminescence
Ctenophores
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014341
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU