1.) Where does the 5th author work in? Can you provide the URL of the website of the institute where he/she is affiliated?
-The 5th author is Olga Zhukova. She works for Caspian Fisheries Research Institute, one of the oldest research institutions in Russia. Their works are published in these webpage http://www.caspnirh.astranet.ru/english/history.htm. 2.) Where in the world is Mnemiopsis usually found? In what exact coordinates?
-Mnemiopsis is usually found in American estuaries from 40° N to 46° S.
3.) What prompted one of the authors to investigate the occurrence of Mnemiopsis? Who was this author? Can you give the bibliographic citation of the latest publication by this author?
(Clue: this paper can be found online first in a journal specializing on Biological Invasions)
-In Turkmenistan, rumours of fishermen catching ‘strange jellies’ were circulating since
1996, prompting one of the authors to investigate the occurrence of Mnemiopsis in the
Krasnovodsk Bay. This author/scientist was Henri J. Dumont. His latest publication, along with
Rey D. Papa, Huimling Li, Dino T. Tordesillas and Boping Han, is entitled “Massive invasion of
Arctodiaptomus dorsalis (Copepode, Calanoida, Diaptomidae) in Philippine lakes: a threat to
Asian zooplankton biodiversity?” (Biological Invasions (26 May 2012), pp. 18, doi:10.1007/s10530-012-0250-9)
4.) What is ship ballast water? How can it contribute to species invasion?
- Ship ballast water is a system essiental for the safe opertation of a ship, but the operation of these systems may cause significant threats to the environment and local economy
(Paulo Bruno). It is said that ballast water taken on in one ecological zone and released into another may introduce aquatic invasive species and non-indigenous organisms. This can drastically disrupt fragile marine ecosystems.
5.) Can you list down the effects of the Mnemiopsis invasion to the aquatic community of the
Caspian?
-Sharp decline in