JELLYFISH (CNIDARIA, HYDROZOA AND SCYPHOZOA) FROM THE COSTA-RICA DOME AREA

The distribution and abundance of 20 species of Hydromedusae, and 2 species of Scyphomedusae, were studied in the surface layers of the Costa Rica Dome, during two periods: February-March and June 1979. The distribution is related to the main water masses that influence the region. Four main categories were found: tropical species, subtropical species, tropical-subtropical species, and subantartic species. Most of them are scarce in the area and only Aglaura hemistoma, Rhopalonema velatum, Liriope tetraphylla, Pelagia noctiluca, and Solmundella bitentaculata were abundant during both periods.