A few weeks in the past, a group of 5 jellyfish and polyp fanatics travelled to Torsvåg (extra right here), Vannøya, a gorgeous location two hours north of Tromsø by automotive. Our purpose? Accumulate, establish and catalogue some little-known hydrozoans for Artsdatabanken undertaking NOAH (Norwegian Arctic Hydrozoa). That is the threerd devoted NOAH journey to acquire Arctic samples (or look at collections) within the final 12 months! After a really profitable Arctic expedition to the West and North of Svalbard on board Kronprins Haakon within the context of the Barents Sea Ecosystem Survey by IMR, and a 1-week workshop on the Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN) co-organized by our colleague Marta Ronowicz, this time we centered on the underexplored coasts of northern Norway.
Latest NOAH-related sampling journeys. On prime, Barents Sea Ecosystem Survey by IMR on board icebreaker Kronprins Haakon; within the center, at IOPAN inspecting Marta Ronowicz’s in depth assortment; backside, NOAH group in Torsvåg (Troms). Pics: Joan Soto, Piotr Bałazy, Robert Johansen
Cruises, particularly on cutting-edge icebreakers crashing ice on their approach to the poles, are numerous enjoyable, however getting deep-water samples of each jellyfish and polyps is all however straightforward. Consequently, even after we rigorously optimize the sampling procedures, some fragile species usually arrive broken or in dangerous form. This time, we collected shallow-water specimens utilizing our personal fingers. Along with (MANUAL!) internet deployments at ca. 180 m depth, we intensively checked marinas, tide swimming pools, and shallow infralittoral environments by snorkeling. It labored fantastically effectively for these choosy jellies and polyps which tentacles/polyps get misplaced after being trawled or towed with a tone of hard-bodied invertebrates and slimy fish inside huge nets. We took the chance to doc them intimately utilizing each microscopes and macro pictures. Throughout our journey, we had the go to of Stine and Linda from Artsdatabanken. They even kindly gave us a hand accumulating jellyfish from the piers! Good catch!
Big range of sampling strategies, landscapes and native fauna, together with a model new moist lab (earlier than: lounge) specifically made for the event. Stine and Linda testing our hand nets and efficiently accumulating some jellies. Pics: Joan Soto, Praveen Raj.
Every of us had our favourite species and prime findings for the journey, and we have been actually excited to see alive and in fine condition these species now we have solely examined inside preserved collections, or solely examine in scientific publications. These findings will certainly contribute to a greater data on the true range and distribution of those little identified species, a few of which have not often been reported that far north in continental Norway.
I (Joan) cease right here and go away you with some insights from the opposite NOAH group members that joined the journey: Marta and Praveen.
From Marta:
This was such a really fascinating expertise! Throughout my work I often research deep ecosystems, so I don’t usually see contemporary samples of benthic hydroids, and after I do, they’re usually broken by the sampling gear (e.g. backside trawl, beam trawl…). This journey to Torsvåg has allowed me to pattern the intertidal swimming pools and marinas with my very own fingers, uncover the good range that exists slightly below the floor, and to see a number of species in a means I by no means seen earlier than.
For me, probably the most fascinating species have been undoubtedly the athecate hydroids, such because the extremely stunning Zanclea spp. and Sarsia spp. These animals are extraordinarily fragile because of the lack of a theca to guard the polyp. In Torsvåg, I noticed athecate hydroids of extraordinary high quality, studied their sexual constructions, their morphology, colors, behaviour… Merely: WOW!!! I’m very a lot wanting ahead to the following NOAH journey!
Throughout our sampling journey, Marta Gil (visiting researcher) confirmed numerous pleasure in regards to the range within the intertidal swimming pools and picked up stunning athecate polyps, all with reproductive constructions! Pics: Joan Soto.
From Praveen:
My first sampling journey after becoming a member of the Cnidaria and Ctenophora Group as a PhD scholar was nothing wanting exhilarating. Our group, led by Joan Soto, was centered on varied life phases and initiatives associated to the phyla Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Though I had carried out related sampling procedures in India, working with reside specimens of each planktonic and benthic phases of Cnidarians in Torsvåg was a brand new and interesting expertise.
One of many journey’s most difficult elements was venturing into open waters with a small fishing boat to gather samples. We needed to troubleshoot a bit on board, but it surely lastly turned out to be a hit. Regardless of not discovering Dimophyes arctica, one of many goal species for my PhD, I used to be captivated by the immense range of hydroids within the piers close to the island, a few of which could be the so-far unknown polyp stage of some identified Norwegian hydromedusae. Particular due to Luis and Marta, who taught me so much about hydrozoan taxonomy, and Cessa and Jon for driving the boat and patiently look forward to the online to be recovered.
The analysis was undoubtedly the main target, however the social actions and adventures we shared have been equally memorable. Torsvåg itself was mesmerizing, with its excessive mountains and breathtaking views. All of us loved night hikes and took benefit of the midnight solar, which supplied an ideal steadiness to our intense sampling schedule. Our group dinners have been one other spotlight of the journey for me: with colleagues from 7 totally different nationalities and three continents, we had a pleasant number of cuisines as we took turns for getting ready dinner.
All in all, this sampling journey was an unbelievable mix of scientific discovery and private enrichment. The beautiful panorama and the camaraderie of our group made it an unforgettable expertise.
Praveen Raj on his first sampling journey for his PhD. He not solely captured and recognized a powerful quantity of jellyfish, but additionally had a good time climbing round Torsvåg and loved the dramatic landscapes that Northern Norway can supply. Pics: Joan Soto, Praveen Raj, Lea Dober.
From Joan, Marta and Praveen.