Swimming behavior analysis of small box jellyfish (Carybdea brevipedalia)

In this study, the swimming behavior of a small box jellyfish (Carybdea brevipedalia), which consists of inhaling external seawater and expelling it through its mouth to generate forward thrust, was characterized using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The flow rate and structure during the suction and discharge process were quantitatively analyzed. During swimming, there was a change in the ratio of the internal area during inhalation and expulsion. Specifically, there was a 1.10-fold difference between the maximum area after inhalation and the minimum area after discharge. The maximum distance traveled after discharge was inversely proportional to the size of the inner area, with a 2.48-fold difference in the minimum distance traveled after suction. Depending on the propulsion stage, the inner area decreased and then increased in proportion to the moving distance and speed. The moving distance of the small box jellyfish was measured for each period. The speed for each swimming stage increased and then decreased at intervals of 0.15 to 0.2 seconds, and the suction and discharge cycle period was measured at approximately 0.5 seconds. Collectively, our findings provide a methodological basis for studying the swimming behavior of small and highly active trailing jet jellyfish, as well as the biological mechanisms that determine this behavior.