Box jellyfish
 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (October 2009) |
| Box Jellyfish | |
|---|---|
| |
| "Cubomedusae", from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur, 1904 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | Cubozoa Werner, 1975
|
| Orders | |
Box jellyfish, named for their cube-shaped medusae, are a class of invertebrates belonging to the class Cubozoa, as well as being the preferred common name for notoriously dangerous Chironex fleckeri.
Nomenclature
the box jellyfish has no eyes ,heart ,mouth and brains.
The ambiguous but commonly used terms sea wasp and marine stinger have in places been applied to some species of Cubozoans, but these names vastly understate the danger posed by Chironex fleckeri and Carybdea alata, and their inappropriate use may cause carelessness that could result in death.[original research?]
In at least one context where C. fleckeri occurs, the term box jellyfish is understood to only refer to this species, rather than the entire order. This is likely because of the considerable importance of wariness of C. fleckeri, compared to the relative unimportance of non-threatening species of box jellyfish to those inhabitants.[citation needed]
Cubozoans are categorized separately from other types of jellyfish and are considered more complex than Scyphozoans.
Defense and feeding mechanisms
Box jellyfish venom is the most deadly in the animal kingdom[citation needed] and has caused at least 5,568 recorded deaths since 1954[citation needed]</ref> Those who fall victim to C. barnesi suffer severe physical and psychological symptoms known as Irukandji syndrome.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Acetic acid, found in vinegar, disables the box jelly's nematocysts that have not yet discharged into the bloodstream (though it will not alleviate the pain). Vinegar may also be applied to adherent tentacles, which should then be removed immediately[1]; this should be done with the use of a towel or glove to avoid bringing the tentacles into further contact with the skin. These tentacles will still sting if separated from the bell, or if the creature is dead. Removing the tentacles without first applying vinegar may cause unfired nematocysts to come into contact with the skin and fire, resulting in a greater degree of envenomation.
Although commonly recommended in folklore and even some papers on sting treatment,[2] there is no scientific evidence that urine, ammonia, meat tenderizer, sodium bicarbonate, boric acid, lemon juice, freshwater, steroid cream, alcohol, cold packs, papaya, or hydrogen peroxide will disable further stinging, and these substances may even hasten the release of venom.[3] Pressure immobilization bandages, methylated spirits, or vodka should never be used for jelly stings.[1][4][5][6] Often in severe Chironex fleckeri stings, cardiac arrest occurs quickly, so cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be life saving and takes priority over all other treatment options.
References
- ^ a b Hartwick R, Callanan V, Williamson J (1980). "Disarming the box-jellyfish: nematocyst inhibition in Chironex fleckeri". Med J Aust. 1 (1): 15–20. PMID 6102347.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Zoltan T, Taylor K, Achar S (2005). "Health issues for surfers". Am Fam Physician. 71 (12): 2313–7. PMID 15999868.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Fenner P (2000). "Marine envenomation: An update - A presentation on the current status of marine envenomation first aid and medical treatments". Emerg Med Australasia. 12 (4): 295–302. doi:10.1046/j.1442-2026.2000.00151.x.
- ^ Seymour J, Carrette T, Cullen P, Little M, Mulcahy R, Pereira P (2002). "The use of pressure immobilization bandages in the first aid management of cubozoan envenomings". Toxicon. 40 (10): 1503–5. doi:10.1016/S0041-0101(02)00152-6. PMID 12368122.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Little M (2002). "Is there a role for the use of pressure immobilization bandages in the treatment of jellyfish envenomation in Australia?". Emerg Med (Fremantle). 14 (2): 171–4. PMID 12164167.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Pereira PL, Carrette T, Cullen P, Mulcahy RF, Little M, Seymour J (2000). "Pressure immobilisation bandages in first-aid treatment of jellyfish envenomation: current recommendations reconsidered". Med. J. Aust. 173 (11–12): 650–2. PMID 11379519.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Bibliography
- Daly, Marymegan (2007). "The phylum Cnidaria: A review of phylogenetic patterns and diversity 300 years after Linnaeus" (PDF). Zootaxa (1668): 127–182.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
- Gershwin, L. 2005a. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. PhD, School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland.
- Gershwin, L. 2005b. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30.
- Gershwin, L. 2005c. Carybdea alata auct. and Manokia stiasnyi, reclassification to a new family with description of a new genus and two new species. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 51(2): 501–523.
- Gershwin, L. 2006a. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1–42.
- Gershwin, L. 2006b. Nematocysts of the Cubozoa. Zootaxa 1232: 1–57.
- Gershwin, L. 2007. Malo kingi: A new species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida), possibly lethal to humans. Zootaxa 1659: 55–68.
- Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2006. Chiropsella bart, n. sp., a new box jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) from the Northern Territory, Australia. The Beagle 22: 15–21.