Question

When the comb jelly, Mnemiopsis leidyi, was accidentally introduced into the Black Sea, what eventually happened to the Black Sea ecosystem? (Site 1)

Answer 1

The introduction of Mnemiopsis leidyi into the Black Sea caused significant changes in the ecosystem. The comb jelly became a dominant predator, consuming large amounts of zooplankton and fish larvae, which in turn led to a decline in the population of these organisms. This destabilized the food web and caused a reduction in the population of other species in the ecosystem, such as anchovies and sprat. The depletion of these small fish led to a significant decline in the commercial fishing industry in the Black Sea. Additionally, the comb jelly caused a decline in the oxygen levels of the water, which led to the suffocation of some bottom-dwelling organisms. Overall, the introduction of Mnemiopsis leidyi was a major ecological disaster for the Black Sea.