Box jellyfish
| Box Jellyfish | |
|---|---|
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| "Cubomedusae", from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur, 1904 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | Cubozoa Werner, 1975
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| Order: | Cubomedusae Haeckel 1877
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| Families | |
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see text | |
Box jellyfish are invertebrates belonging to the class Cubozoa, named for their cube-shaped medusae. Cubozoans are categorized separately from other types of jellyfish and are considered more complex than Scyphozoans. Likewise, Chironex fleckeri (sometimes simply called "the Box Jellyfish"), the best-known species of box jellyfish, is only one of a category which actually contains about 19 different species. The name sea wasp is also applied to some species of Cubozoans, including the aforementioned Chironex fleckeri and Carybdea alata. Box jellies can be found in Australia, the Philippines, Hawaii[1], Vietnam, and many other tropical areas. Box jellyfish are extremely venomous and can kill humans; some marine species (such as turtles) are immune to the venom, and are known to feed on the jellyfish.
Box jellyfish are best known for the extremely powerful venom possessed by some of their species. The Chironex fleckeri and the Carukia barnesi (Irukandji) species are amongst the most venomous creatures in the world. Stings from such species are excruciatingly painful, either initially or as an after-effect, and are often fatal to their prey and sometimes even for humans. However, not all species of Box Jellyfish are this dangerous to humans.
Defense and feeding mechanisms
Box jellyfish venom is the most deadly in the animal kingdom and has caused at least 5,568 recorded deaths since 1954, each tentacle has about 500,000 sindasites which are harpoon shaped needles the inject poison into the victim.[2] Most often, these fatal envenomations are perpetrated by the largest species of box jelly, Chironex fleckeri, owing to its high concentration of nematocysts, though at least two deaths in Australia have been attributed to the thumbnail-sized irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi).[3] Those who fall victim to Carukia barnesi suffer several severe symptoms known as Irukandji syndrome.[4] The box jellyfish actively hunts its prey, rather than drifting as do true jellyfish. It is capable of achieving speeds of up to 3.5 knots (1.8 m/s).
The venom of cubozoans is very distinct from that of scyphozoans, and is used to catch prey (fish and small invertebrates) and for defense from predators. Sea turtles, however, are apparently unaffected by the sting and eat box jellies.
The highest risk period for the box jellyfish is between October to May, but stings and specimens have been reported all months of the year. Similarly, the highest risk conditions are those with calm water and a light, onshore breeze; however, stings and specimens have been reported in all conditions.
Box jellyfish are abundant in the warm waters of northern Australia and indo pacific. However, the swarms generally disappear during the Australian winter (though occasional individuals are found throughout the year). Australian researchers using ultrasonic tagging reported that these creatures sleep on the ocean floor between 3 pm and dawn; it was believed that they sleep to conserve energy and to avoid predators. However, this 'sleep' hypothesis was challenged by many other researchers, and analysis of sting patterns demonstrated that a reasonably high proportion of stings occur within this time period. Furthermore, the small sample size in the "sleep experiment" (i.e., 1 of 3 total tested actually 'slept'), combined with the unusual feature of a large, metal sensor potentially weighting down the animals, led researchers to discount the hypothesis of sleep.
Treatment of stings
First aid
If swimming at a beach where box jellyfish are known to be present, a bottle of vinegar is an extremely useful addition to the first aid kit. Following a sting, vinegar should be applied for a minimum of 30 seconds. A box jellyfish sting can kill a human.[5] Acetic acid, found in vinegar,g 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; 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. If no vinegar is available, a heat pack has been proven for moderate pain relief.[6] However, careful removal of the tentacles by hand is recommended.[7] Vinegar has helped save dozens of lives on Australian beaches. Although commonly recommended in folklore and even some papers on sting treatment,[8] there is no scientific evidence that urine, ammonia, meat tenderizer, sodium bicarbonate, boric acid, lemon juice, freshwater, steroid cream, alcohol, cold packs or papaya will disable further stinging, and these substances may even hasten the release of venom.[9] Pressure immobilization bandages, methylated spirits, or vodka should never be used for jelly stings.[7][10][11][12] 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 (including application of vinegar). Activate the emergency medical system for immediate transport to the hospital.
Cultural References
A box jellyfish plays an important role in the 2008 film, Seven Pounds, directed by Gabriele Muccino, in which the protagonist Will Smith uses the venom from the jellyfish to kill himself.
Comedian Patton Oswalt makes a passing reference to "Sea Wasps" on his album 222, suggesting that the animal's venom may be used to assassinate someone.
References
- ^ Jellyfish Predictions Waikiki, Hawai'i
- ^ Williamson JA, Fenner P J, Burnett JW, Rifkin J., ed. (1996). Venomous and poisonous marine animals: a medical and biological handbook. Surf Life Saving Australia and University of New North Wales Press Ltd. ISBN 0-86840-279-6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ Fenner P, Hadok J (2002). "Fatal envenomation by jellyfish causing Irukandji syndrome" (PDF). Med J Aust. 177 (7). PMID 12358578.
{{cite journal}}: Text "pages (: 362–3" ignored (help) - ^ Little M, Mulcahy R (1998). "A year's experience of Irukandji envenomation in far north Queensland". Med J Aust. 169 (11–12): 638–41. PMID 9887916.
- ^ Fenner P, Williamson J, Blenkin J (1989). "Successful use of Chironex antivenom by members of the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade". Med J Aust. 151 (11–12): 708–10. PMID 2574410.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Taylor, G. (2000). "Are some jellyfish toxins heat labile?". South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal. 30 (2). ISSN 0813-1988. OCLC 16986801. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ 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
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.