Evidence of a causal predator-prey relationship on larvae of two European flatfish {Pleuronectes platessa 

 and Platichthys flesus) by A . aurita and the ctenophore Pleurobrachia pileus was reported by van der Veer 

 (1985). Pearcy (1962) stated that Sarsia tubulosa medusae were important predators of larval winter 

 flounder in the Mystic River, CT, and had greatest impact on younger, less motile individuals. Crawford 

 and Carey (1985) reported large numbers of the moon jelly (A. aurata) in Point Judith Pond, RI and felt 

 that they were a significant predator of the pelagic larval stage of winter flounder. Although no causal 

 predator-prey relationship in the Niantic River was established, there was strong circumstantial evidence 

 that the lion's mane jellyfish was an important source of mortality for winter flounder larvae. 



1984- 



1983- 



15FEB 01 MAR 15MAR 29 MAR 12APR 26APR 1 0MAY 24MAY 



DATE 



Figure 1 7. Estimated abundance (number /m ) of Cyanea sp. medusae based on the volume to mean diameter 

 relationship. 



78 



