Chrysaora plocamia (Lesson, 1830)

Remarks: in Peru forming blooms and also massive numbers are stranded in huge aggregations found mainly in shallow waters, from subtidal line (8–10m until 100m depth), becoming less abundant towards offshore (Quiñones- Dávila 2008; Quiñones et al. 2015). Massive numbers of stranded medusae found in Patagonian coastal areas (Mianzan et al. 2005).

Distribution in South America: medusa—Pacific Ocean, Peru to Chile, from 5°S to 55.015°S (Stiasny 1937; Morandini & Marques 2010; Bravo et al. 2011; Mianzan et al. 2014; Palma et al. 2011, 2014b; Quiñones et al. 2015); Atlantic Ocean, Argentina, at 42°S along the Patagonian coastal waters (Mianzan & Cornelius 1999; Mianzan et al. 2005; Morandini & Marques 2010).

Habitat: neritic, found in coastal and estuarine waters (Mianzan & Cornelius 1999). Dense aggregations at water surface observed in some Peruvian coastal areas, as Punta Salinas (11.2°S), Chilca (12.6°S), and Pisco (13.75°S) (Quiñones-Dávila 2008; Quiñones et al. 2015); Massive numbers of stranded medusae found in Patagonian coastal areas, where this species can cause mortality in salmon farming (Mianzan et al. 2005).