The cnidarian phylum is made up of different classes of aquatic animals that impress with their beauty and particular characteristics, which differentiate them from other species. Within this group we find the class of Cubozoa or Cubozoa, a group that includes species known as the Box jellyfish of Australia, also called sea stinger, sea wasp or even hand of death or hand that kills.
Some of these marine invertebrates have developed powerful poisons that make them deadly, not only to the prey they feed on, but also to humans.In this PlanetAnimal file, we will tell you about the Australian box jellyfish, a type of jellyfish whose venom is one of the most deadly in the ocean. Read on and get to know this fearsome animal.
Origin
- Asia
- Oceania
- Australia
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Vietnam
Characteristics of the Australian Box Medusa
The characteristic features of the Australian box jellyfish are:
- He althy specimens have a cube-shaped bell, hence their name.
- This bell can be transparent or faintly colored and usually measures between 16 and 24 cm in diameter, although some are much larger.
- It is considered one of the greatest in existence.
- Up to 15 tentacles are clustered at each corner of its bell, so that they total at least 60 over the entire body. These structures are light blue in color and can reach up to 3 meters in length.
- They have no brain and central nervous system, but have sensory organs consisting of groups of eyes, 24 in total. Although these do not function as in other animals, they are known to be able to perceive light and are thought to be able to perceive certain shapes.
- Each tentacle contains millions of nematocysts through which it inoculates its victims with its venom. It is highly toxic and deadly even to humans. This makes the Australian box jellyfish one of the most venomous animals in the world.
- The venom causes serious complications of the nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems in humans, as well as damage to the contact area, and can lead to death within minutes of the accident.
- It has been determined that depending on the region where it is found, its venom may have some differences in composition.
Habitat of the Australian box jellyfish
The Australian box jellyfish's range includes the waters off Oceania, Australia and Southeast Asia. Individuals can be found in parts of the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Great Barrier Reef. Shallow marine waters are its main habitat. In the case of some parts of Australia, they are commonly found in turbid areas.
But when storms hit, these animals move to deeper areas to avoid damage from moving water. Box jellyfish in Australia can also move through mangrove channels during one of their reproductive phases. Then the young people move again towards the sea.
Habits of the Australian Box Medusa
Most jellyfish move mainly thanks to the flow of ocean currents. However, the Box jellyfish is able to swim actively. During the day, she tends to swim more slowly than at night, probably for reasons related to her diet. It has a habit of resting on the bottom of the sea, where it remains motionless unless disturbed. It also uses it when surface water is affected by natural phenomena that alter its stability.
The absence of a central nervous system limits knowledge about this animal with regard to some of its habits. However, it is known to be attracted to light and tends to avoid dark colored objects. In addition, it is able to detect vibrations. Communication between individuals of this species is believed to occur primarily chemically.
Food of the Australian box jellyfish
This cnidarian has a carnivorous diet. Younger individuals primarily consume shrimp, but as they grow they expand their diet to include fish and shrimp, as well as zooplankton. The Australian box jellyfish relies on its tentacles, which are loaded with large amounts of nematocysts through which it releases venom to capture and paralyze its prey. Once the animal is immobilized and trapped, she brings it closer to its bell to start devouring it.
Reproduction of the box jellyfish from Australia
As with other cnidarians, the Australian Box Medusa reproduces in two ways, one sexual and the other asexual. In the first, the adults release the sperm and eggs into the water for fertilization to take place. It is followed by the formation of the planula, one of the stages through which this animal passes.The planula seeks a safe place to attach to become a polyp.
The latter will measure about 2 mm long and will be sessile, it will feed on zooplankton which it will capture with one of its two tentacles. The Australian box jellyfish polyp divides asexually to give rise to a small jellyfish after metamorphosis. It can then swim and move to other areas to continue its development.
Conservation status of the Australian box jellyfish
The Australian box jellyfish is not considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Due to its high levels of toxicity, this jellyfish has virtually no natural predators except the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), which is able to feed on it.
Photos of Box jellyfish from Australia or hand of death
