DOCSLIB.ORG

'Irukandji' Jellyfish: Carukia Barnesi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
'Irukandji' Jellyfish: Carukia Barnesi ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Courtney, Robert (2016) Life cycle, prey capture ecology, and physiological tolerances of Medusae and polyps of the 'Irukandji' jellyfish: Carukia barnesi. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/49935/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/49935/ Life Cycle, Prey Capture Ecology, and Physiological Tolerances of Medusae and Polyps of the ‘Irukandji’ Jellyfish: Carukia barnesi Thesis Submitted by: Robert Courtney BSc (Hons 1A) November 11, 2016 For the Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Supervisors: Principle Supervisor: Associate Professor Jamie Seymour, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns [email protected] Co-Supervisor: Emeritus Professor Rhondda Jones, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville [email protected] Co-Supervisor: Dr Nik Sachlikidis, NGSAquatic, [email protected] Thesis Dedication: I would like to dedicate this thesis to The Lions Foundation of Australia, for their continual financial support dedicated to stinger research, and to Dr. Jack Barnes, for his pioneering work in the field of Irukandji research. i Statement of the Contribution of Others: Robert Courtney is the primary author of this Thesis and was extensively involved in all aspects of this work under the supervision of: Associate Professor Jamie Seymour; Emeritus Professor Rhondda Jones; and Dr Nik Sachlikidis. Dr Tobin Northfield provided statistical support and assisted with the ecological modeling. Sally Browning assisted with animal husbandry, polyp culture maintenance, and photography. The Lions Foundation of Australia assisted with financial support of this project, providing collection equipment and the research vessel. The Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarship provided financial support for Robert Courtney during this candidature. ii Acknowledgments: First and foremost, I would like to thank my primary supervisor, Jamie Seymour. Jamie, I am lost for words, the support that you have given me since we met during my first undergraduate class, to the time we spend together now, are the best times of my life. You have been not only a mentor, advisor, supervisor, employer, but also a cherished friend, father figure, and solid mate to me on every day of every year, through thick and thin, no matter what. I hope this will never change, thank you Jamie. None of this could have been achieved without your help, wisdom, and unrelenting support. I would also like to thank Rhondda Jones and Nik Sachlikidis for their supervision and support of this project. It is with great pride that I have you both on my team, the dream team, and the confidence you both bestow upon me is immeasurable. Richard Fitzpatrick: thank you for all of your help over the years, you have contributed substantially to this project and I seriously appreciate your involvement, your help, and friendship. Tobin Northfield: thank you for spending countless hours with me, and introducing me to the powers of ecological modeling. Jeff Warner: best research student monitor ever, thanks mate. I would also like to thank the many volunteers and employees that have directly assisted this project: Anna, Athena, Bridey, Billy, Bjoern, Damien, Sandy, Silvia, our research group, and the Aquarium Volunteers. Professionally, I would like to thank The Lions Foundation of Australia. Without the financial support from Lions Club members this project would not be possible. Thank you. I would also like to thank the Surf Life Savers Queensland, for all of the support they have provided over the years. Mum, Lyn Courtney, none of this would have been possible without your help, wisdom, tenacity, and capacity to drive me to a place where I could realize my dreams. You have always not only assisted, but lead by example, always challenging me, always encouraging, never allowing me to fall. Thank you, Mum. I would like to thank my children, Robby and Amba, not only for understanding the times I spend away, but also for helping with the collection of probably a million jellyfish over the last four years. Chrissy: thank you for your love and support over the years. I could not have done this without you. Last, but far from least, I would like to thank Jessica Sleeman and Sally Browning. You two have never, ever, let me down. I want you both to know that you are the future dream team, and without you, I would not be able to achieve this. Thank you both for your help, kindness, friendship, support, expertise, and everything else. Seriously, this is a product of your support, and I could not have done this without you; and you two are next. Thank you, Sally and Jess. iii Abstract This study focuses on the Irukandji jellyfish Carukia barnesi Southcott, 1967. Little is known about the general ecology of C. barnesi; however, the medusa stage is considered oceanic, planktonic, has been found around coral reefs or islands, and under certain conditions, on beaches. Carukia barnesi is a relatively small box jellyfish species (bell size up to 35 mm), that are typically present during the summer monsoonal summer months between November and May in Queensland, Australia, which is commonly referred to as the ‘stinger’ season. Although not well defined, the distribution of this species is considered along the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent coastline, between Lizard Island and Fraser Island. There is evidence that the length of the Irukandji season in the Queensland region has progressively increased over the last 50 years, based on annual sting records, from 15 days long historically to over 150 days long currently, which has been speculated to be attributed to increased seawater temperatures. Similarly, there have been anecdotal reports that the southern distribution of C. barnesi has also increased over the last 50 years. A sting from C. barnesi commonly results in Irukandji syndrome, which is often severely painful, potentially fatal, and frequently requires hospitalization for treatment. The direct cost associated with treating envenomed victims, and the negative impact this species has on the Australian tourism industry through reduced revenue, are substantial (i.e., an estimated 65 million dollars in lost tourism revenue in 2002 alone). Further exacerbating the impact of this species is the simple fact that there are currently no methods in place for mitigating stings when this species is present other than through beach closures. Stinger exclusion nets are commonly used iv along the north-eastern coast of Queensland; however, these nets are designed to exclude large cubozoan species, primarily Chironex fleckeri, and do not exclude small species such as C. barnesi. Also, this species occurs with substantial spatial and temporal variability during the monsoonal summer months. Therefore, understanding the factors that contribute to this variability may facilitate the ability to model, and therefore predict, when and under what circumstances this species may be more prevalent. Currently, the ecological data required to produce a predictive model does not exist. Prior to the commencement of this research project, the early life history of C. barnesi had never been observed, or described, and nothing was known about the thermal and osmotic tolerance, or preference, of any of its life stages. This study first describes the early life history C. barnesi, from egg fertilization through to medusa production, and elucidates that this species develops an encapsulated planula stage that remains viable for six days to over six months. The polyps of C. barnesi asexually reproduce ciliated swimming polyps and produce medusae through monodisc strobilation. This study resulted in the first verified culture of C. barnesi polyps. With the polyp stage of the life cycle in culture, the opportunity to conduct manipulative temperature and salinity experiments were pursued, which provides new insights into potential polyp habitat suitability. Primary findings revealed 100% survivorship in osmotic treatments between 19‰ and 46‰, with the highest proliferation at 26‰. As salinity levels of 26‰ do not occur within the waters of the Great Barrier Reef or Coral Sea, it is concluded that the polyp stage v of C. barnesi are probably found in estuarine environments, where these lower salinity conditions commonly occur. With the relationship of temperature and salinity on the polyp stage known, focus was shifted to exploration of these factors on the medusa stage. The thermal and osmotic tolerance of C. barnesi medusae were investigated to determine if environmental parameters drive the marked seasonality of this species. By exploring oxygen consumption over a range of temperatures, the minimum thermal requirement for C. barnesi was estimated at 21.5ºC, which does not explain the seasonal occurrence of this species. The optimum temperature for swimming pulse rate was determined to occur between 27.5ºC and 30.9ºC and the optimum temperature was estimated at 29.2ºC, which encompasses the typical summer thermal regime in situ. This research concludes that reduced fitness associated with environmental temperatures that departure from optimum may better explain the seasonal pattern of this species. Conversely, departure from optimum temperature did not explain the southern distribution limits of this species, suggesting that C. barnesi could theoretically persist further south than their loosely defined southern distribution limits. The optimum salinity of C. barnesi medusae was estimated at 35.8‰ and fitness was reduced as salinity levels reduced below 29‰, adding further support that C.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Two New Species of Box Jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida)
    RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 29 010–019 (2014) DOI: 10.18195/issn.0312-3162.29(1).2014.010-019 Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome Lisa-Ann Gershwin CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, Tasmania 7000, Australia. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT – Irukandji jellies are of increasing interest as their stings are becoming more frequently reported around the world. Previously only two species were known from Western Australia, namely Carukia shinju Gershwin, 2005 and Malo maxima Gershwin, 2005, both from Broome. Two new species believed to cause Irukandji syndrome have recently been found and are described herein. One, Malo bella sp. nov., is from the Ningaloo Reef and Dampier Archipelago regions. It differs from its congeners in its small size at maturity, its statolith shape, irregular warts on the perradial lappets, and a unique combination of other traits outlined herein. This species is not associated with any particular stings, but its phylogenetic affi nity would suggest that it may be highly toxic. The second species, Keesingia gigas gen. et sp. nov., is from the Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef regions. This enormous species is unique in possessing key characters of three families, including crescentic phacellae and broadly winged pedalia (Alatinidae) and deeply incised rhopalial niches and feathery diverticulations on the velarial canals (Carukiidae and Tamoyidae). These two new species bring the total species known or believed to cause Irukandji syndrome to at least 16. Research into the biology and ecology of these species should be considered a high priority, in order to manage their potential impacts on public safety.
    [Show full text]
  • Population Structures and Levels of Connectivity for Scyphozoan and Cubozoan Jellyfish
    diversity Review Population Structures and Levels of Connectivity for Scyphozoan and Cubozoan Jellyfish Michael J. Kingsford * , Jodie A. Schlaefer and Scott J. Morrissey Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia; [email protected] (J.A.S.); [email protected] (S.J.M.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Understanding the hierarchy of populations from the scale of metapopulations to mesopop- ulations and member local populations is fundamental to understanding the population dynamics of any species. Jellyfish by definition are planktonic and it would be assumed that connectivity would be high among local populations, and that populations would minimally vary in both ecological and genetic clade-level differences over broad spatial scales (i.e., hundreds to thousands of km). Although data exists on the connectivity of scyphozoan jellyfish, there are few data on cubozoans. Cubozoans are capable swimmers and have more complex and sophisticated visual abilities than scyphozoans. We predict, therefore, that cubozoans have the potential to have finer spatial scale differences in population structure than their relatives, the scyphozoans. Here we review the data available on the population structures of scyphozoans and what is known about cubozoans. The evidence from realized connectivity and estimates of potential connectivity for scyphozoans indicates the following. Some jellyfish taxa have a large metapopulation and very large stocks (>1000 s of km), while others have clade-level differences on the scale of tens of km. Data on distributions, genetics of medusa and Citation: Kingsford, M.J.; Schlaefer, polyps, statolith shape, elemental chemistry of statoliths and biophysical modelling of connectivity J.A.; Morrissey, S.J.
    [Show full text]
  • Etiology of Irukandji Syndrome with Particular Focus on the Venom Ecology and Life History of One Medically Significant Carybdeid Box Jellyfish Alatina Moseri
    ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Carrette, Teresa Jo (2014) Etiology of Irukandji Syndrome with particular focus on the venom ecology and life history of one medically significant carybdeid box jellyfish Alatina moseri. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/40748/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/40748/ Etiology of Irukandji Syndrome with particular focus on the venom ecology and life history of one medically significant carybdeid box jellyfish Alatina moseri Thesis submitted by Teresa Jo Carrette BSc MSc December 2014 For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology and Tropical Ecology within the College of Marine and Environmental Sciences James Cook University Dedication: “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Jacques Yves Cousteau To my family – and my ocean home ii Acknowledgements Firstly, I have to acknowledge my primary supervisor Associate Professor Jamie Seymour. We have spent the last 17 years in a variable state of fatigue, blind enthusiasm, inspiration, reluctance, pain-killer driven delusion, hope and misery. I have you to blame/thank for it all. Just when I think all hope is lost and am about to throw it all in you seem to step in with the words of wisdom that I need.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Stingers Factsheet
    Marine Stingers Frequently Asked Questions What are Irukandji? Irukandji is a group of jellyfish which are known to cause symptoms of a potentially dangerous syndrome called Irukandji Syndrome. There are currently 14 known species of Irukandji, however only a few of these species have the potential to occur in the waters around the Whitsundays. Irukandji can occur coastally and around the reef and islands. What is Irukandji Syndrome? Irukandji Syndrome is a syndrome which can affect people who have been stung by an Irukandji jellyfish. While the Irukandji sting itself can be relatively mild, the symptoms of the Irukandji Syndrome, in very rare cases, can be life-threatening. Symptoms of Irukandji Syndrome can take 5 to 45 (typically 20-30) minutes to develop after being stung. Some symptoms include: • Lower backache, overall body pain and muscular cramps. The pain from this can be severe. • Nausea/vomiting • Chest pain and difficulty breathing • Pins and needles • Anxiety and a feeling of “impending doom” • Headache, usually severe • Increased respiratory rate • Piloerection (hair standing on end) • High blood pressure which can lead to stroke or heart failure • A sting is rarely evident – usually just a pale red mark with goose pimples or sweating. Are Irukandji only prevalent in Australia? No. Species of Irukandji occur in South East Asia, the Caribbean, Hawaii, South Africa and even the United Kingdom. Australia is leading the study of these creatures, which is probably the reason why the jellyfish may be wrongly associated with occurring only in Australia. What are Box Jellyfish? While globally the term ‘Box Jellyfish’ is the general term given to any jellyfish which has a bell (head) shaped like a box, in Australia, the name always refers to a particular species of jellyfish called Chironex fleckeri.
    [Show full text]
  • Biology, Ecology and Ecophysiology of the Box Jellyfish Biology, Ecology and Ecophysiology of the Box Jellyfishcarybdea Marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa)
    Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box M. J. ACEVEDO jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) Carybdea marsupialis MELISSA J. ACEVEDO DUDLEY PhD Thesis September 2016 Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellyfish Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellyfishCarybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) Biologia, ecologia i ecofisiologia de la cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) Melissa Judith Acevedo Dudley Memòria presentada per optar al grau de Doctor per la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Programa de Doctorat en Ciències del Mar (RD 99/2011). Tesi realitzada a l’Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC). Director: Dr. Albert Calbet (ICM-CSIC) Co-directora: Dra. Verónica Fuentes (ICM-CSIC) Tutor/Ponent: Dr. Xavier Gironella (UPC) Barcelona – Setembre 2016 The author has been financed by a FI-DGR pre-doctoral fellowship (AGAUR, Generalitat de Catalunya). The research presented in this thesis has been carried out in the framework of the LIFE CUBOMED project (LIFE08 NAT/ES/0064). The design in the cover is a modification of an original drawing by Ernesto Azzurro. “There is always an open book for all eyes: nature” Jean Jacques Rousseau “The growth of human populations is exerting an unbearable pressure on natural systems that, obviously, are on the edge of collapse […] the principles we invented to regulate our activities (economy, with its infinite growth) are in conflict with natural principles (ecology, with the finiteness of natural systems) […] Jellyfish are just a symptom of this
    [Show full text]
  • Cnidarian Phylogenetic Relationships As Revealed by Mitogenomics Ehsan Kayal1,2*, Béatrice Roure3, Hervé Philippe3, Allen G Collins4 and Dennis V Lavrov1
    Kayal et al. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2013, 13:5 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/13/5 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Cnidarian phylogenetic relationships as revealed by mitogenomics Ehsan Kayal1,2*, Béatrice Roure3, Hervé Philippe3, Allen G Collins4 and Dennis V Lavrov1 Abstract Background: Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, hydroids, jellyfish) is a phylum of relatively simple aquatic animals characterized by the presence of the cnidocyst: a cell containing a giant capsular organelle with an eversible tubule (cnida). Species within Cnidaria have life cycles that involve one or both of the two distinct body forms, a typically benthic polyp, which may or may not be colonial, and a typically pelagic mostly solitary medusa. The currently accepted taxonomic scheme subdivides Cnidaria into two main assemblages: Anthozoa (Hexacorallia + Octocorallia) – cnidarians with a reproductive polyp and the absence of a medusa stage – and Medusozoa (Cubozoa, Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Staurozoa) – cnidarians that usually possess a reproductive medusa stage. Hypothesized relationships among these taxa greatly impact interpretations of cnidarian character evolution. Results: We expanded the sampling of cnidarian mitochondrial genomes, particularly from Medusozoa, to reevaluate phylogenetic relationships within Cnidaria. Our phylogenetic analyses based on a mitochogenomic dataset support many prior hypotheses, including monophyly of Hexacorallia, Octocorallia, Medusozoa, Cubozoa, Staurozoa, Hydrozoa, Carybdeida, Chirodropida, and Hydroidolina, but reject the monophyly of Anthozoa, indicating that the Octocorallia + Medusozoa relationship is not the result of sampling bias, as proposed earlier. Further, our analyses contradict Scyphozoa [Discomedusae + Coronatae], Acraspeda [Cubozoa + Scyphozoa], as well as the hypothesis that Staurozoa is the sister group to all the other medusozoans. Conclusions: Cnidarian mitochondrial genomic data contain phylogenetic signal informative for understanding the evolutionary history of this phylum.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenetic and Selection Analysis of an Expanded Family of Putatively Pore-Forming Jellyfish Toxins (Cnidaria: Medusozoa)
    GBE Phylogenetic and Selection Analysis of an Expanded Family of Putatively Pore-Forming Jellyfish Toxins (Cnidaria: Medusozoa) Anna M. L. Klompen 1,*EhsanKayal 2,3 Allen G. Collins 2,4 andPaulynCartwright 1 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA 2Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, USA Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/gbe/article/13/6/evab081/6248095 by guest on 24 June 2021 3Sorbonne Universite, CNRS, FR2424, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France 4National Systematics Laboratory of NOAA’s Fisheries Service, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA *Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected] Accepted: 19 April 2021 Abstract Many jellyfish species are known to cause a painful sting, but box jellyfish (class Cubozoa) are a well-known danger to humans due to exceptionally potent venoms. Cubozoan toxicity has been attributed to the presence and abundance of cnidarian-specific pore- forming toxins called jellyfish toxins (JFTs), which are highly hemolytic and cardiotoxic. However, JFTs have also been found in other cnidarians outside of Cubozoa, and no comprehensive analysis of their phylogenetic distribution has been conducted to date. Here, we present a thorough annotation of JFTs from 147 cnidarian transcriptomes and document 111 novel putative JFTs from over 20 species within Medusozoa. Phylogenetic analyses show that JFTs form two distinct clades, which we call JFT-1 and JFT-2. JFT-1 includes all known potent cubozoan toxins, as well as hydrozoan and scyphozoan representatives, some of which were derived from medically relevant species. JFT-2 contains primarily uncharacterized JFTs.
    [Show full text]
  • Biology, Ecology and Ecophysiology of the Box Jellyfish Carybdea Marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa)
    Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) MELISSA J. ACEVEDO DUDLEY PhD Thesis September 2016 Biology, ecology and ecophysiology of the box jellysh Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) Biologia, ecologia i ecosiologia de la cubomedusa Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) Melissa Judith Acevedo Dudley Memòria presentada per optar al grau de Doctor per la Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Programa de Doctorat en Ciències del Mar (RD 99/2011). Tesi realitzada a l’Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC). Director: Dr. Albert Calbet (ICM-CSIC) Co-directora: Dra. Verónica Fuentes (ICM-CSIC) Tutor/Ponent: Dr. Xavier Gironella (UPC) Barcelona – Setembre 2016 The author has been nanced by a FI-DGR pre-doctoral fellowship (AGAUR, Generalitat de Catalunya). The research presented in this thesis has been carried out in the framework of the LIFE CUBOMED project (LIFE08 NAT/ES/0064). The design in the cover is a modication of an original drawing by Ernesto Azzurro. “There is always an open book for all eyes: nature” Jean Jacques Rousseau “The growth of human populations is exerting an unbearable pressure on natural systems that, obviously, are on the edge of collapse […] the principles we invented to regulate our activities (economy, with its innite growth) are in conict with natural principles (ecology, with the niteness of natural systems) […] Jellysh are just a symptom of this situation, another warning that Nature is giving us!” Ferdinando Boero (FAO Report 2013) Thesis contents
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Scyphozoan Venoms on Human Health and Current First Aid Options for Stings
    toxins Review Impact of Scyphozoan Venoms on Human Health and Current First Aid Options for Stings Alessia Remigante 1,2, Roberta Costa 1, Rossana Morabito 2 ID , Giuseppa La Spada 2, Angela Marino 2 ID and Silvia Dossena 1,* ID 1 Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria; [email protected] (A.R.); [email protected] (R.C.) 2 Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno D'Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (R.M.); [email protected] (G.L.S.); [email protected] (A.M.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +43-662-2420-80564 Received: 10 February 2018; Accepted: 21 March 2018; Published: 23 March 2018 Abstract: Cnidaria include the most venomous animals of the world. Among Cnidaria, Scyphozoa (true jellyfish) are ubiquitous, abundant, and often come into accidental contact with humans and, therefore, represent a threat for public health and safety. The venom of Scyphozoa is a complex mixture of bioactive substances—including thermolabile enzymes such as phospholipases, metalloproteinases, and, possibly, pore-forming proteins—and is only partially characterized. Scyphozoan stings may lead to local and systemic reactions via toxic and immunological mechanisms; some of these reactions may represent a medical emergency. However, the adoption of safe and efficacious first aid measures for jellyfish stings is hampered by the diffusion of folk remedies, anecdotal reports, and lack of consensus in the scientific literature. Species-specific differences may hinder the identification of treatments that work for all stings.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Toxins from Cnidaria
    marine drugs Review A Review of Toxins from Cnidaria Isabella D’Ambra 1,* and Chiara Lauritano 2 1 Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy 2 Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-081-5833201 Received: 4 August 2020; Accepted: 30 September 2020; Published: 6 October 2020 Abstract: Cnidarians have been known since ancient times for the painful stings they induce to humans. The effects of the stings range from skin irritation to cardiotoxicity and can result in death of human beings. The noxious effects of cnidarian venoms have stimulated the definition of their composition and their activity. Despite this interest, only a limited number of compounds extracted from cnidarian venoms have been identified and defined in detail. Venoms extracted from Anthozoa are likely the most studied, while venoms from Cubozoa attract research interests due to their lethal effects on humans. The investigation of cnidarian venoms has benefited in very recent times by the application of omics approaches. In this review, we propose an updated synopsis of the toxins identified in the venoms of the main classes of Cnidaria (Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Cubozoa, Staurozoa and Anthozoa). We have attempted to consider most of the available information, including a summary of the most recent results from omics and biotechnological studies, with the aim to define the state of the art in the field and provide a background for future research. Keywords: venom; phospholipase; metalloproteinases; ion channels; transcriptomics; proteomics; biotechnological applications 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Redescription of Alatina Alata (Reynaud, 1830) (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean
    Zootaxa 3737 (4): 473–487 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2013 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3737.4.8 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B12F5D90-E13A-4ACA-8583-817DB0F6FD18 Redescription of Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean CHERYL LEWIS1,2,8, BASTIAN BENTLAGE2,3, ANGEL YANAGIHARA4, WILLIAM GILLAN5, JOHAN VAN BLERK6, DANIEL P. KEIL1, ALEXANDRA E. BELY7 & ALLEN G. COLLINS2 1Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; [email protected]; [email protected] 2National Systematics Laboratory, National Museum of Natural History, MRC–153, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013–7012, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 3Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. E-mail:[email protected] 4Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i 96822, USA. E-mail:[email protected] 5Palm Beach County (FL) Schools, Boynton Beach Community High School, 4975 Park Ridge Boulevard, Boynton Beach, FL, 33426, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 6Kralendijk, Bonaire, The Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected] 7Biology Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. E-mail: [email protected] 8Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Here we establish a neotype for Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) from the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire. The species was originally described one hundred and eighty three years ago as Carybdea alata in La Centurie Zoologique—a mono- graph published by René Primevère Lesson during the age of worldwide scientific exploration.
    [Show full text]
  • Critical Evaluation of Characters for Species Identification in The
    Plankton Benthos Res 9(2): 83–98, 2014 Plankton & Benthos Research © The Plankton Society of Japan Critical evaluation of characters for species identification in the cubomedusa genus Malo (Cnidaria, Cubozoa, Carybdeida, Carukiidae) ILKA STRAEHLER-POHL Zoologisches Institut und Zoologisches Museum, Biozentrum Grindel, Universität Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Received 27 November 2013; Accepted 8 January 2014 Abstract: Medusae of an undetermined species of the carukiid genus Malo were sampled for life cycle research at Port Douglas Marina, Port Douglas, Australia, in 2011. Due to confusing character variations within the specimens, identification to species level initially seemed impossible. To resolve their identity, the type material of Malo maxima Gershwin, 2005 and M. kingi Gershwin, 2007 were examined. Comparisons were made of the two, and also with the unknown species. Unexpectedly, no significant differences were found between M. maxima and M. kingi. Moreover, all character variations in them were observed as well in the unknown species. Accordingly, M. maxima from West- ern Australia and M. kingi from Queensland are considered to represent populations of the same species. Characters considered both reliable and unreliable for species determination in the genus are discussed, and an emended diagno- sis of Malo is proposed. The earlier name M. maxima is proposed for both populations and for the specimens from Port Douglas. Key words: Malo kingi, Malo maxima, medusa, morphology, taxonomy kingi Gershwin, 2007, yet some of the specimens showed Introduction characters used to define the species Malo maxima Gersh- Specimens of an unidentified cubozoan species were win, 2005 from Western Australia. Moreover, all speci- collected in April 2011 at a marina in Port Douglas (Aus- mens bore six eyes per rhopalium rather than two, as de- tralia).
    [Show full text]