Abstract
IN the numbers of NATURE for July 19 and 26 (pp. 227, 248) are communications respecting fish-sheltering Medusæ. The Trochurus in Europe appears to be a commensal of the Acaleph as well as the Pollochius. In the eastern waters of the United States, however, so far as I am aware, the Stromatoid fish Poronotus simtlis (Stromateus similis of some authors) seems to be the most common, if not the only associate, of several acalephs, viz., Dactylometra quinquecirra, Zygodactylon græn-landica, and Cyarea arctica. Under the umbrellas of these species small Poronoti are to be found in the late summer swimming, sometimes even to the number of twenty or more, but generally much fewer. Mr. Alexander Agassiz, in his “Sea-side Studies,” mentions the occurrence of an undetermined “Clupeoid” fish, but no other, under the umbrella of Dactylometra quinquecirra; the identification is probably erroneous. At least my own observations were made in the same region and at the same time of the year as Mr. Agassiz's, and only the Poronotus was seen. More detailed information respecting this association may be found recorded by Prof. Verrill in the “United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries” reports, Part I., pp. 449-450, 1873.
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GILL, T. Fish Commensals of Medusæ. Nature 16, 362 (1877). https://doi.org/10.1038/016362b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/016362b0
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