Sub heading: Gelatinous zooplankton swimming at the LJL
Dr. Kakani Katija (Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), myself (Jack Costello, Biology Department, Providence College), and colleagues have spent a week studying swimming by gelatinous zooplankton at the Liquid Jungle Laboratory (LJL). The LJL is a great study site for gelatinous zooplankton of all types because the waters around the laboratory contain abundant and diverse populations of these animals within a short boat ride from the laboratory. Our work has involved both laboratory and in situ measurements of fluid motions surround these swimming animals. I’m interested in the mechanics of animal swimming, while Kakani focuses on the effect of animal swimming on mixing processes in the ocean. Jointly, we have found a diversity of jelly swimmers here at the LJL that include many different species of salps, siphonophores, hydromedusae, and ctenophores. A National Geographic Society (NGS) Expeditions Grant has supported our research effort here at the lab. In addition to a science team, a NGS TV crew also accompanied and documented our field trip. More details of our work on this trip will be provided during a National Geographic Television special in the near future.
[Picture: ngtv interview]
Interview of scientists in residence by National Geographic Television
Photo credit: D. Montague
[Picture: kakani and jack 1]
Kakani Katija and Jack Costello using a high speed digital camera to analyze particle imagery of fluid dynamic flow fields of several species of gelatinous zooplankton.
Photo credit: D. Montague
[Picture: jack costello]
Jack Costello in the open “Blue Water” of the channels offshore of the Coiba Island Marine Park collecting specimens for later laboratory analysis.
Photo credit: E. Klos
[Picture: jack lab]
Jack back at the lab adding micro particles to enhance the laser field effect for the high-speed camera.
Photo credit: K. Katija
[Picture: ngtv beach interview]
National Geographic Television Crew filming on the beach before a dive.
Photo credit: E. Klos
[Picture: luis camilli national geographic diver]
Luis Camilli on the Blue Water SCUBA Diver Trapeze collecting gelatinous zooplankton (“jellyfish”) for laboratory analysis.
Photo credit: E. Klos
