Dr. Jennifer E. Purcell

Education and Background

• 1976 B.S., Stanford University, with distinction. Biology
• 1976 M.S., Stanford University. Biology
• 1981 Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara. Biological Sciences
• 1981 1983 Postdoctoral Scholar, Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• 1983 1984 NATO Postdoctoral Fellow, Biology, University of Victoria, BC, Canada
• 1984 1986 Assistant Professor, College of Oceanography, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• 1987-2001 Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, Assistant Professor (1987-1992), Associate Professor (1992-1998), Professor (1998-2001)
• 2001-present Marine Scientist, Shannon Point Marine Center and Adjunct Professor: Western Washington University, Biology Department and the Huxley School of the Environment

• 2004-2007. Development of an operational model for predicting the near real time distribution and abundance of the scyphomedusa, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, in Chesapeake Bay. NOAA Coastal Ocean Program. With M.B. Decker, R.R. Hood and C.W. Brown.
• 2005-2006. The Hidden Ocean: Explorations under the ice of the Western Arctic - the pelagic fauna: Phase II. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration. With R.R. Hopcroft, M.J. Youngbluth, and K.A. Raskoff.

• Purcell, J.E. 2005. Climate effects on formation of jellyfish and ctenophore blooms. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K. 85:461-476.
• Purcell, J.E. and M.B. Decker. 2005. Effects of climate on relative predation by scyphomedusae and ctenophores on copepods in Chesapeake Bay during 1987-2000. Limnol. Oceanogr. 50: 376-387. http://aslo.org/lo/toc/vol_50/issue_1/0376.pdf
• Purcell, J.E., M.V. Sturdevant, and C.P. Galt. 2005. A review of appendicularians as prey of fish and invertebrate predators. In Gorsky, G., M.J. Youngbluth and D. Deibel (Eds.), Response of marine ecosystems to global change: Ecological impact of appendicularians. Contemporary Publishing International, Paris, pp. 359-435.
• Ma, X. and J.E. 2005. Effects of temperature, salinity and predators on mortality of and colonization by the invasive hydrozoan, Moerisia lyonsi. Mar. Biol. 147:215-224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1539-8
• Ma, X. and J.E. Purcell. 2005. Temperature, salinity and prey effects on polyp versus medusa bud production of the invasive hydrozoan, Moerisia lyonsi. Mar. Biol. 147:225-234. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1538-9
• Heidelberg, K.B., K.P. Sebens, and J.E. Purcell. 2004. Composition of near-reef zooplankton on a Jamaican forereef, with implications for coral feeding. Coral Reefs 23:263-276.
• Decker, M.B., D.L. Breitburg, and J.E. Purcell. 2004. Effects of low dissolved oxygen on zooplankton predation by the ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 280:163-172.
• Matanoski, J.C., R.R. Hood, R.L. Owens, and J.E. Purcell. 2004. Patterns in jellyfish swimming: a novel approach to studying behavior in individuals. Mar. Biol. 145:303-313.
• Brierley, A.S., B.E. Axelsen, D.C. Boyer, C.P. Lynam, C.A. Didcock, H.J. Boyer, C.A.J. Sparks, J.E. Purcell and M.J. Gibbons. 2004. Single-target echo detections of jellyfish. ICES J. Mar. Sci. 61:383-393.
• Raskoff, K.A., R.R. Hopcroft, and J.E. Purcell. 2004. Pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores of the Arctic Ocean: in situ ROV observations under the ice. Polar Biol. 28:207-217.
• Purcell, J.E. 2003. Predation on zooplankton by large jellyfish (Aurelia labiata, Cyanea capillata, Aequorea aequorea) in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 246:137-152.
• Breitburg, D.L. A. Adamack, K.A. Rose, S.E. Kolesar, M.B. Decker, J.E. Purcell, J.E. Keister and J.H. Cowan, Jr. 2003. The pattern and influence of low dissolved oxygen in the Patuxent River, a seasonally hypoxic estuary. Estuaries 26:280-297.
• Brown, C.W., R. R. Hood, Z. Li, M. B. Decker, T. Gross, J. E. Purcell and H. Wang. 2002. Forecasting system predicts presence of sea nettles in Chesapeake Bay. EOS, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 83:321, 325-326.
• Purcell, J.E., D.L. Breitburg, M.B.Decker, W.M. Graham, M.J. Youngbluth, and K.A. Raskoff. 2001. Pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores in low dissolved oxygen environments: a review. In: Coastal hypoxia: consequences for living resources and ecosystems. N.N. Rabalais and R.E. Turner (eds.), American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C., Coastal and Estuarine Studies 58: 77-100.
• Purcell, J.E. and M.V. Sturdevant. 2001. Prey selection and dietary overlap among zooplanktivorous jellyfish and juvenile fishes in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 210: 67-83.
• Purcell, J.E. and M.N. Arai. 2001. Interactions of pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores with fishes: A review. Hydrobiologia 451 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 155): 27-44.
• Purcell, J.E., T.A. Shiganova, M.B. Decker, and E.D. Houde. 2001. The ctenophore Mnemiopsis in native and exotic habitats: U.S. estuaries versus the Black Sea basin. Hydrobiologia 451 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 155): 145-176.
• Condon, R.H., M. B. Decker, and J.E. Purcell. 2001. Effects of low dissolved oxygen on survival and asexual reproduction of scyphozoan polyps (Chrysaora quinquecirrha). Hydrobiologia 451 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 155): 89-95.
• Matanoski, J.C., R.R. Hood, and J.E. Purcell. 2001. Characterizing the effect of prey on swimming and feeding efficiency of the scyphomedusa Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Mar. Biol. 139:191-200.
• Bax, N., J. Carlton, A. Mathews-Amos, R. Haedrich, F.G. Howarth, J.E. Purcell, A. Reiser, and A. Gray. 2001. The control of biological invasions in the world's oceans. Conservation Biology 15:1234.
• Oguz, T., H.W. Ducklow, J.E. Purcell, and P. Malanotte-Rizzoli. 2001. Modeling the response of top-down control exerted by gelatinous carnivores in the Black Sea pelagic food web. J. Geophys. Res. 106:4543-4564.
• Purcell, J.E., E.D. Brown, K.D.E. Stokesbury, L.H. Haldorson, and T.C. Shirley. 2000. Aggregations of the jellyfish Aurelia labiata: Abundance, distribution, association with age-0 walleye pollock, and behaviors promoting aggregation in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 195:145-158.
• Hood, R.R., H.V. Wang, J.E. Purcell, E.D. Houde and L.W. Harding, Jr. 1999. Modeling particles and pelagic organisms in Chesapeake Bay: convergent features control plankton distributions. J. Geophysical Res. 104:1223-1243 and 3289-3290.
• Purcell, J.E., A. Malej and A. Benovic. 1999. Potential links of jellyfish to eutrophication and fisheries. In: Ecosystems at the land-sea margin: drainage basin to coastal sea, T.C. Malone, A. Malej, L.W. Harding, Jr., N. Smodlaka and R.E.Turner (eds.), Coastal and Estuarine Studies 55:241-263.
• Purcell, J.E., J.R. White, D.A. Nemazie and D.A. Wright. 1999. Temperature, salinity and food effects on asexual reproduction and abundance of the scyphozoan Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 180:187-196.
• Burnett, J.W., J.E. Purcell, D.B. Learn, and T. Myer. 1999. A protocol to evaluate the blockade of jellyfish nematocysts by topical agents. Contact Dermatitis 40:55-56.
• Purcell, J.E, U. Båmstedt, and A. Båmstedt. 1999. Prey, feeding rates, and asexual reproduction rates of the introduced oligohaline hydrozoan Moerisia lyonsi. Mar. Biol. 134:317-325.
• Purcell, J.E. 1989. Predation by the hydromedusa Aequorea victoria on fish larvae and eggs at a herring spawning ground in British Columbia. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 46:1415-1427.
• Baier, C.T. and J.E. Purcell. 1997. Effects of sampling and preservation on apparent feeding by chaetognaths. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 146:37-42.
• Baier, C.T. and J.E. Purcell. 1997. Trophic interactions of chaetognaths, larval fish, and zooplankton in the South Atlantic Bight. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 146:43-53.
• Wright, D.A. and J.E. Purcell. 1997. Effect of salinity on ionic shifts in mesohaline scyphomedusae, Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Biol. Bull.192:332-339.
• Heidelberg, K.B., K.P. Sebens, and J.E. Purcell. 1997. Effects of prey escape and water flow on prey capture by the scleractinian coral, Meandrina meandrites. Proc. 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, H.A. Lessios & I.G. Macintyre (eds.) Smithsonian Tropical Research Inst., Panama (Publ.). Vol. 2:1081-1086.
• Kreps, T.A., J.E. Purcell, and K.B. Heidelberg. 1997. Escape of the ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi from the scyphomedusa predator, Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Mar. Biol. 128:441-446.
• Ford, M.D., J.H. Costello, K.B. Heidelberg and J.E. Purcell. 1997. Swimming and feeding by the scyphomedusa Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Mar. Biol. 129:355-362.
• Purcell, J.E. 1997. Pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores as predators: Selective predation, feeding rates and effects on prey populations. Ann. Inst. Oceanogr., Paris 73:125-137.
• Madin, L.P., J.E. Purcell and C.B. Miller. 1997. Abundance and grazing effects of Cyclosalpa bakeri in the subarctic Pacific. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 157:175-183.
• Olesen, N.J., J.E. Purcell, and D.K. Stoecker. 1996. Feeding and growth by ephyrae of scyphomedusae Chrysaora quinquecirrha. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 137:149-159.
• Purcell, J.E. 1995. Gelatinous Zooplankton. Pp. 125-133 In: Living Resources of the Delaware Estuary. L.E. Dove and R. M. Nyman (eds.). The Delaware Estuary Program.
• Purcell, J.E. and P.A.V. Anderson. 1995. Electrical responses to water-soluble components of fish mucus recorded from the cnidocytes of a fish predator, Physalia physalis. Mar. Freshwater Behaviour Physiol. 26:149-162.
• Purcell, J.E. and J.H. Cowan, Jr. 1995. Predation by the scyphomedusan Chrysaora quinquecirrha on Mnemiopsis leidyi ctenophores. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 128:63-70.
• Purcell, J.E., J.R. White, and M.R. Roman. 1994. Predation by gelatinous zooplankton and resource limitation as potential controls of Acartia tonsa copepod populations in Chesapeake Bay. Limnol. Oceanogr. 39:263-278.
• Purcell, J.E., D.A. Nemazie, S.E. Dorsey, E.D. Houde, and J.C. Gamble. 1994. Predation mortality of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) eggs and larvae due to scyphomedusae and ctenophores in Chesapeake Bay. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 114:47-58.
• Nemazie, D.A., J.E. Purcell, and P.M. Glibert. 1993. Ammonium excretion by gelatinous zooplankton and their contribution to the ammonium requirements of microplankton in Chesapeake Bay. Mar. Biol. 116:451-458.
• Purcell, J.E. and D.A. Nemazie. 1992. Quantitative feeding ecology of the hydromedusan Nemopsis bachei. Mar. Biol. 113:305-311.
• Purcell, J.E. 1992. Effects of predation by the scyphomedusan Chrysaora quinquecirrha on zooplankton populations in Chesapeake Bay. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 87:65-76.
• Madin, L.P. and J.E. Purcell. 1992. Feeding, metabolism and growth of Cyclosalpa bakeri in the subarctic Pacific. Limnol. Oceanogr. 37:1236-1251.
• Purcell, J.E. 1991. Predation by Aequorea victoria on other species of potentially competing pelagic hydrozoans. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 72:255-260.
• Purcell, J.E. 1991. A review of cnidarians and ctenophores feeding on competitors in the plankton. Hydrobiologia 216/217:335-342.
• Purcell, J.E. and L.P. Madin. 1991. Diel patterns of migration, feeding, and spawning by salps in the Subarctic Pacific. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 73:211-217.
• Purcell, J.E., F.P. Cresswell, D.G. Cargo, and V.S. Kennedy. 1991. Differential ingestion and digestion of bivalve larvae by the scyphozoan Chrysaora quinquecirrha and by the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi. Biol. Bull. 180:103-111.
• Purcell, J.E. 1990. Soft-bodied zooplankton predators and competitors of larval herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) at herring spawning grounds in British Columbia. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 47:505-515.
• Purcell, J.E. and J.J. Grover. 1990. Predation and food limitation as causes of mortality in larval herring at a spawning ground in British Columbia. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 59:55-67.
• Purcell, J.E., D. Grosse, and J.J. Grover. 1990. Mass abundances of abnormal Pacific herring larvae at a spawning ground in British Columbia. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 119:463-469.
• Purcell, J.E. 1988. Quantification of Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora, Lobata) from formalin preserved plankton samples. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 45:197-200.
• Purcell, J.E. and C.E. Mills. 1988. The correlation of nematocyst types to diets in pelagic Hydrozoa. Pp. 463-485. In: D.A. Hessinger and H.M. Lenhoff (eds.), The Biology of Nematocysts. Academic Press, San Diego.
• Mackie, G.O., P.R. Pugh, and J.E. Purcell. 1987. Siphonophore biology. Adv. Mar. Biol. 24:97-262.
• Purcell, J.E., T.D. Siferd, and J.B. Marliave. 1987. Vulnerability of larval herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) to capture by the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. Mar. Biol. 94:157 162.
• Purcell, J.E. 1985. Predation on fish eggs and larvae by pelagic cnidarians and ctenophores. Bull. Mar. Sci. 37:739 755.
• Purcell, J.E. 1984. The functions of nematocysts in prey capture by epipelagic siphonophores (Coelenterata, Hydrozoa). Biol. Bull. 166:310 327.
• Purcell, J.E. 1984. Predation on fish larvae by Physalia physalis, the Portuguese man of war. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 19:189 191.
• Purcell, J.E. 1983. Digestion rates and assimilation efficiencies of siphonophores fed zooplankton prey. Mar. Biol. 73:257 261.
• Purcell, J.E. and P. Kremer. 1983. Feeding and metabolism of the siphonophore Sphaeronectes gracilis. J. Plankton Res. 5:95 106.
• Purcell, J.E. 1982. Feeding and growth in the siphonophore Muggiaea atlantica. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 62:39 54.
• Purcell, J.E. and C.L. Kitting. 1982. Intraspecfic aggression and population structure of the sea anemone Metridium senile. Biol. Bull. 162:345 359.
• Purcell, J.E. 1981. Feeding ecology of Rhizophysa eysenhardti, a siphonophore predator of fish larvae. Limnol. Oceanogr. 26:424 432.
• Purcell, J.E. 1981. Selective predation and caloric consumption by the siphonophore Rosacea cymbiformis in nature. Mar. Biol. 63:283 294.
• Purcell, J.E. 1981. Dietary composition and diel feeding patterns of epipelagic siphonophores. Mar. Biol. 65:83 90.
• Purcell, J.E. 1980. Influence of siphonophore behavior upon their natural diets: Evidence for aggressive mimicry. Science 209:1045 1047.
• Purcell, J.E. 1977. Aggressive function and induced development of catch tentacles in the sea anemone Metridium senile (Coelenterata, Actiniaria). Biol. Bull. 153:355 368.
• Purcell, J.E. 1977. Diet of large and small individuals of the sea anemone Metridium senile (Coelenterata, Actiniaria). Bull. S. Cal. Acad. Sci. 76:168 172.

Popular articles

• Purcell, J.E. 1985. Cnidaria. Pp. 140 142 In the 1986 Yearbook, Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. McGraw Hill.
• Purcell, J.E. 2003. Class Scyphozoa. Pp. 153-168 In Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia 2nd Edition Vol. 1 Lower Metazoans and Lesser Deuterostomes. M Hutchins, D.A. Thoney & N. Schlager (eds). Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group.
• Purcell, J.E. 2005. Jellyfish may benefit from global changes. JMBA Global Mar. Environ. 2: 30-31.