Gelatinous zooplankton play a crucial role in pelagic marine food webs, however, due to methodological challenges and persistent misconceptions of their importance, the trophic role of gelatinous zooplankton remains poorly investigated. This is particularly true for small gelatinous zooplankton including the marine pelagic tunicate,Dolioletta gegenbauri.D. gegenbauriand other doliolid species occur persistently on wide subtropical shelves where they often produce massive blooms in association with shelf upwelling conditions. As efficient filter feeders and prodigious producers of relatively low‐density organic‐rich aggregates, doliolids are understood to contribute significantly to shelf production, pelagic ecology, and pelagic–benthic coupling. Utilizing molecular gut content analysis and stable isotope analysis approaches, the trophic interactions of doliolids were explored during bloom and non‐bloom conditions on the South Atlantic Bight continental shelf in the Western North Atlantic. Based on molecular gut content analysis, relative ingestion selectivity varied withD. gegenbaurilife stage. At all life stages, doliolids ingested a wide range of prey types and sizes, but exhibited selectivity for larger prey types including diatoms, ciliates, and metazoans. Experimental growth studies confirmed that metazoan prey were ingested, but indicated that they were not digested and assimilated. Stable isotopic composition (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of wild‐caught doliolids, during bloom and non‐bloom conditions, were most consistent with a detrital‐supplemented diet. These observations suggest that the feeding ecology ofD. gegenbauriis more complex than previously reported, and have strong and unusual linkages to the microbial food web.

In the South Atlantic Bight (SAB), responses of zooplankton communities to physical dynamics were evaluated monthly at two sites on the continental shelf offshore from Savannah, GA, USA, between December 2015 and December 2017. Zooplankton were collected in oblique net tows (202-μm). Samples were collected in two regions of the middle shelf: inner edge (Site 1: 25 m isobath, n = 22) and outer edge (Site 2: 40 m isobath, n = 21). Samples were also collected at a third site on the 40 m isobath, ~20 nm south of Site 2 in July and August 2016. Temperature, salinity and fluorescence data were recorded at each site. Overall, 57 taxa were identified with total abundances varying from 1 × 10³ to 81 × 10³ ind.m⁻³. Small copepods predominated; notably Paracalanus spp. The highest abundance was recorded in October 2016 at Site 1, following deep mixing induced by Hurricane Matthew. Interannual variability of zooplankton abundance was significant, with higher abundances in 2016 compared with 2017, reflecting higher river runoff in 2016. Samples from Site 3 yielded the largest Dolioletta gegenbauri bloom documented in the SAB. This 2-year time-series, for the first time, suggests that zooplankton communities on the SAB middle shelf region are significantly influenced by continental precipitation patterns.

Predation is a fundamental ecological process that shapes marine ecosystem dynamics. This study reveals a novel predator–prey interaction between the giant Caribbean sea anemone Condylactis gigantea and the two jellyfish species Cassiopea sp. and Aurelia sp., challenging traditional understanding of sea anemone feeding habits. Observations from citizen science platforms and field recordings documented C. gigantea successfully capturing and consuming these gelatinous marine organisms. The research highlights the trophic plasticity of C. gigantea, demonstrating its ability to prey on larger gelatinous organisms beyond its traditionally known diet. This predation event represents a possible benthic–pelagic coupling mechanism and underscores the value of citizen science in capturing rare ecological interactions.

Cassiopea, commonly known as “upside-down” jellyfish, is a globally distributed genus of Scyphozoa found in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on the distribution, habitat preferences, trophic interactions, and physiological adaptations of Cassiopea to evaluate the current literature on the field ecology of the upside-down jellyfish and provide a baseline of their ecological impacts in a rapidly changing environment. Cassiopea exhibits a unique life history alternating between a sexual medusa phase and a benthic, sessile polyp stage, characterized by a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellates of the Symbiodiniaceae family, which is essential for this metamorphosis. This mutualistic symbiosis provides the jellyfish with a sheltered habitat and enables it to receive up to 70% of its basal energy needs from photosynthetic symbionts. As mixotrophs, Cassiopea efficiently captures a variety of food particles, including microorganisms and small zooplankton, through mucus and ciliary currents from the water column while also benefiting from photosynthetic nutrients. The relevance of this genus is heightened by the rising research of their potential role as both a bioindicator and an ecosystem engineer, particularly in human-impacted coastal systems. However, a significant knowledge gap remains, as the majority of research has concentrated on the Western Atlantic, leading to a limited understanding of the field ecology and behavior of Cassiopea in other ecosystems worldwide. This review highlights the necessity for further research beyond the Western Atlantic to fully comprehend the global ecology of Cassiopea and identifies critical knowledge gaps that warrant future research attention.