Discussion

Nausithoe punctata - supposedly characteristic spots are present in some animals, absent from others. Colour is not a good characteristic.

Statoliths of hydromedusae dissolve in ethanol and are therefore better preserved in formalin.
Statoliths of scyphomedusae dissolve in formalin and are therefore better preserved in >85% ethanol.

FAQ: CnidToL is a very large project, won't it take everything and leave nothing for up-and-coming young researchers to study?
This is the exact opposite of the intention of CnidToL, which aims to promote collaborations and to stimulate future research. CnidToL is likely to raise many more questions than it answers. It will produce a family-level phylogeny for Cnidaria but most systematic studies below the family level will remain undone. Most of the ecological and evolutionary studies required for a full understanding of the modern diversity of jellyfishes and other cnidarians will also be incomplete (most not even started). Below are just a few of the studies that will be enabled by the traditional taxonomic, tissue, and sequence collections made by CnidToL.

Molecular and anatomical evolution of rhopalia and cubozoan eyes
Co-evolution of medusae and parasites, such as hyperiid amphipods
Co-evolution of cnidaria and symbionts, such as zooxanthellae
identification of invasive species
Identification of species, and therefore any inter-specific comparisons
Morphological plasticity
Comparisons of physiological rates
Phylogeography of almost every genus
Population genetics of almost every species
Morphological variation
Behavioral evolution
Life-history evolution
Adaptation

FAQ: How will authorships be distributed?
This shouldn't be any different from any other collaboration. Anybody who contributes significantly to a study should be an author. The overview of CnidToL suggests a general approach to authorships, specifically to enhance opportunities for foriegn collaborators, which is flexible. We encourage collaborators to discuss authorships openly so that everyone knows what is expected.


Discussion & FAQ
Nausithoe punctata - supposedly characteristic spots are present in some animals, absent from others. Colour is not a good characteristic. Statoliths of hydromedusae dissolve in ethanol and are therefore better preserved in formalin. Statoliths of scyphomedusae dissolve in formalin and are therefore better preserved in >85% ethanol. FAQ: CnidToL is a very large project, won't it take everything and leave nothing for up-and-coming young researchers to study? This is the exact opposite of the intention of CnidToL, which aims to promote collaborations and to stimulate future research. CnidToL is likely to raise many more questions than it answers. It will produce a family-level phylogeny for Cnidaria but most systematic studies below the family level will remain undone. Most of the ecological and evolutionary studies required for a full understanding of the modern diversity of jellyfishes and other cnidarians will also be incomplete (most not even started). Below are just a few of the studies that will be enabled by the traditional taxonomic, tissue, and sequence collections made by CnidToL. Molecular and anatomical evolution of rhopalia and cubozoan eyes Co-evolution of medusae and parasites, such as hyperiid amphipods Co-evolution of cnidaria and symbionts, such as zooxanthellae identification of invasive species Identification of species, and therefore any inter-specific comparisons Morphological plasticity Comparisons of physiological rates Phylogeography of almost every genus Population genetics of almost every species Morphological variation Behavioral evolution Life-history evolution Adaptation FAQ: How will authorships be distributed? This shouldn't be any different from any other collaboration. Anybody who contributes significantly to a study should be an author. The overview of CnidToL suggests a general approach to authorships, specifically to enhance opportunities for foriegn collaborators, which is flexible. We encourage collaborators to discuss authorships openly so that everyone knows what is expected.