Figure 1
From: The elusive life cycle of scyphozoan jellyfish – metagenesis revisited
The Metagenetic Life Cycle model, Agassiz (1860).
In early spring, ephyrae develop into young medusae. These grow through summer, reach sexual maturity, reproduce sexually and subsequently die. Planula-larvae sink to the seabed, settle and metamorphose into scyphistoma-polyps. Scyphistomae reproduce asexually through strobilation, or produce cysts. In early spring scyphistomae develop into strobilae and release ephyrae. The temporal and spatial separation of the reproductive activity of the polyp- and the medusa generation (benthic and pelagic phase) is represented by white and grey backgrounds, respectively. Sexual maturity is represented by two dark-grey oval structures (gonads). St strobilation, ER ephyrae release, GR gamete release, LS larval stage, S settlement, E encystment, AR asexual reproduction.
