Life Cycles and Reproductive Strategies in Medusozoa

Medusozoa, a subphylum of Cnidaria, constitutes a fascinating and diverse group of marine organisms characterized by their ability to alternate between benthic (polyp) and pelagic (medusa) life stages. These transitions, along with the varied reproductive strategies—including both sexual and asexual reproduction—make them ecologically significant in marine environments. Factors such as genetic makeup, physiological conditions, and environmental influences, play critical roles in shaping their reproductive processes, which, in turn, have profound implications for species dispersal, food web interactions, and ecosystem stability.

Recent studies underscore the need to understand the life cycles and reproductive strategies of Medusozoa, particularly in the context of global environmental changes. Ocean warming, pollution, and other human-induced factors have been linked to altered reproductive patterns and rising instances of jellyfish blooms. Such phenomena impact marine ecosystems and human activities, affecting fisheries, tourism, and coastal management. However, despite their recognized importance, gaps remain in our understanding of medusozoan reproduction, underscoring the necessity for continued research in this field.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the reproductive biology and life cycle dynamics of medusozoans through an array of scientific lenses. It invites submissions that expand our understanding of their reproductive strategies and developmental processes, shedding light on environmental triggers and their evolutionary significance. To gather further insights into the reproductive complexities of medusozoans, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

-Mechanisms of sexual and asexual reproduction
-Environmental triggers influencing life cycle transitions
-Comparative studies among different medusozoan taxa
-Developmental biology and regulation of reproduction
-Impacts of climate change on reproduction and population dynamics
-Ecological consequences of medusozoan blooms

We encourage multidisciplinary approaches, integrating molecular biology, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary studies. Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspective papers that enrich our knowledge of these vital marine organisms' life histories.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Medusozoa, Life cycles, Reproduction, Cnidarian biology, Environmental influences

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.