Table 1.

List of characters that define each developmental stage in Aurelia sp. 1

Stage	Defining characteristics
Prephyra I	Rhopalia oval shape. A few statoliths at the distal ends
Prephyra II	Rhopalia elongated. Terminal, intermediate and basal segments can be distinguished
Prephyra III	Onset of spontaneous coordinated muscle contraction
Ephyra	Free swimming
Late ephyra (metephyra)	Presence of ring canals