IN-SITU TIME BUDGETS OF THE SCYPHOMEDUSAE AURELIA-AURITA, CYANEA SP.,AND CHRYSAORA-QUINQUECIRRHA

The in situ behavior of three scyphomedusan species was video recorded by scuba divers in natural daytime lighting with minimal interference to the medusae. The mean percentage of time that individual medusae s pent swimming ranged from 93 to 100%. There were no significant differ ences in the percent time spent swimming between life stages of a spec ies (ephyra, adult) or between species. The predominance of swimming a ctivity by medusae indicates that swimming, and hence the creation of fluid motions responsible for prey entrainment and capture, plays a wi despread functional role in feeding by scyphomedusae.