The Jellyfish Connection

Artificially rearing spiny lobsters while in the early larval stage can be difficult: Appropriate baits are limited, larvae that sink to the bottom of a tank can be contaminated by feces and larva-to-larva contact can be harmful, according to the filing.

The possible solution: In the wild, the larvae of some spiny lobsters are found latched onto jellyfish -- usually one larva feeding parasitically on one umbrella. This invention mimics that method in order to rear a large number of larvae. The approach provides food for the larva, keeps it from sinking and protects it from being damaged because jellyfish keep enough distance from one another, said the filing.

The inventors are Yuji Tanaka of Tokyo and Yoshioki Oozeki of Kanagawa, Japan. The patent assignees are the National University Corporation and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.