Modeling the eco-physiology of the purple mauve stinger, Pelagia noctiluca using Dynamic Energy Budget theory

Parameters for the standard Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model were estimated for the purple mauve stinger, Pelagia noctiluca , using literature data. Overall, the model predictions are in good agreement with data covering thefulllife-cycle.Theparametersetweobtain suggeststhat P.noctiluca iswelladaptedto survivelong periods of starvation sincethepredictedmaximum reservecapacity isextremelyhigh.Moreover wepredict that therepro- ductive output of larger individuals is relatively insensitive to changes in food level while wet mass and length are. Furthermore,theparametersimplythateveniffoodwerescarce(ingestionlevelsonly14%ofthemaximumfora given size) an individual would still mature and be able to reproduce. We present detailed model predictions for embryo development and discuss the developmental energetics of the species such as the fact that the metabo- lism of ephyrae accelerates for several days after birth. Finally we explore a number of concrete testable model predictions which will help to guide future research. The application of DEB theory to the collected data allowed ustoconcludethat P. noctiluca combinesmaximizing allocation toreproduction with rather extreme capabilities to survive starvation. The combination of these properties might explain why P. noctiluca is a rapidly growing concern to fi sheries and tourism.