Project title: Validation of daily increments in the statoliths of cubozoan jellyfish

My Master’s research is focused on aging cubozoan (box) jellyfish, notably Copula sivickisi. Little is known about the life history of cubozoans, and a knowledge of aging is important to understanding population dynamics of these organisms. Cubozoans have hard calcium structures called statoliths. Similar to fish otoliths, statoliths appear to have daily increments, however, this has yet to be validated. This project will examine the validity of using statolith growth rings to determine cubozoan age. In order to do so, Copula sivickisi will be collected and exposed to various types and concentrations of dyes, then examined at different periods of time following exposure.

Originally from California, Carly completed a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2015. She worked as a research diver in California and Mo’orea, and as a PADI Scuba Instructor in the U.S. Virgin Islands before moving to Australia to continue her academic studies. In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, traveling, writing and stand up paddle boarding.

Carly completed her Honours project in 2018 and has moved back to USA.