• Werner, B. 1984. Klasse Cubozoa. Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie. H. E. Gruner. Stuttgart, Gustav Fischer Verlag. 2: 106-133. pp. 106–133 in Gruner, H.E. (ed). Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie. Stuttgart : Gustav Fischer Verlag. [131, 132]
• Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [102]

Introduction

The Cubozoa was long regarded as a minor order of the Scyphozoa, and it wasn't until 1973, when Werner and his colleagues published the life cycle of Tripedalia cystophora, that that began to change. They found that the polyps and the metamorphic process were entirely different than that known from the Scyphozoa, i.e., the polyps are truly radial and have a large nematocyst or cluster of nematocysts at each tentacle tip, and the polyp metamorphoses entirely into a juvenile cubozoan rather than strobilating off ephyrae. This, combined with earlier knowledge that the planula larva is unique in having eye spots, and the unique morphology of the medusae, drove Werner to elevate the group to the class level.

The Cubozoa has been widely embraced as a class based on morphology and developmental biology, and this hypothesis is supported by molecular studies. Although it is a minor group in terms of numerical species and generic diversity, some of the world's deadliest animals belong to the Cubozoa, making it a small but important group.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the Cubozoa is their eyes. All cubozoans have well developed eyes with lenses, retinas and corneas, similar to human eyes. Scientists believe that they can form images, and possibly see colour. However, a mystery still surrounds how exactly they do this, for they have no brain in the metazoan sense (they lack mesoderm, the tissue from which the brain develops, and they lack cephalization, or the nervous system controlling the body from the head).

Diagnosis

Medusae with cuboid bodies, with tentacles issuing from branched or simple interradial pedalia; sensory organs 4, in perradial niches in bell wall, each in the form of a complex rhopalium with typically 2 median lensed eyes, 4 lateral eye spots, and a single large statolith; a well developed velarium venated by radial extensions of the gastrovascular space; coelenteron partitioned vertically into an upper, horizontal gastric region and a lower, vertical gonadal region, and radially into 4 large pockets separated at the interradial corners by septa; gastric phacellae, when present, endodermal at the interradii of the stomach; gonads endodermal, typically as paired lateral leaves along the interradial septa, but may also grow into the gastric saccules; mesoglea cellular; cnidome typically including microbasic mastigophores, euryteles, and isorhizas, borne on tentacular rings and often in warts or freckles on the exumbrella; planula larva teardrop-shaped, with a whorl of dark dots near the larger, anterior end; metamorphosis complete, with the cubopolyp developing into the juvenile cubomedusa, rarely leaving a viable polyp and never with an ephyra; polyp with a single large nematocyst or cluster of nematocysts in the tips of the tentacles.

ID Keys

Artificial Key to Australian Cubozoa (from Gershwin, 2005a)

1a. Stomach area with gelatinous protrusions into bell cavity, smoothly rounded or cock’scomb-
shaped; tentacles numerous, clustered on 4 branched pedalia ............................ 15
1b. Stomach area lacking gastric saccules or knob-like protrusions; with 4 or 8 tentacles, borne
singly on 1 or 2 separate unbranched pedalia per corner…….…………………....…… 2
2a. With single tentacle on each of 4 interradial corners ……………..……………..…….…… 3
2b. With 2 tentacles per interradial corner; Darwin region …………….……... Tripedalia binata
3a. Gastric cirri lacking; rhopaliar niche ostium frown-shaped (with 1 upper and 1 lower
covering scales) .………………………………………………………..…………...…. 4
3b. Gastric cirri present in brush-like bundles or in horizontal or crescentic rows in the corners
of the stomach; rhopaliar niche ostium heart-shaped or T-shaped .…………………... 11
4a. Body small (ca 1-1.5 cm) and warty; tentacles decorated with widely-spaced handkerchieflike
nematocyst bands; pedalial canals simple ………………..……………………….. 5
4b. Body medium-sized (2-6 cm); tentacles otherwise; nematocyst bands with many fine
regularly-spaced halo-like bands which contain nematocysts inserted end-wise, or with
unadorned bands; pedalial canals with or without upward-pointing spike……………...6
5a. Body small (1 cm), with conspicuous gelatinous mammillations; tentacles with or without
minor nematocyst bands, but lack unarmed bands; velarial canals 2 per octant, simple;
rhopaliar horns long and narrow; N. QLD ….......................................... Carukia barnesi
5b. Body about 1.5 cm, smooth but with low rounded nematocyst warts; tentacles with about 14
fine unarmed bands between successive handkerchief bands; velarial canals 2 per
octant, branched, each with 1 large nematocyst wart; rhopaliar horns long and narrow,
capitate; Broome region ………...….…..............................................… Carukia shinju
6b. Tentacles with halo-like nematocyst bands ………………..…………………………….…. 7
6a. Tentacles with “normal” cubozoan nematocyst bands, lacking halos …..…………..……… 8
7a. Body 3-4 cm, lacking gelatinous protuberances; with complexly branched velarial canals;
with narrow triangularly-shaped perradial lappets with 2 rows of 3-4 nematocyst warts;
with relatively short, broad, inwardly-curved rhopalial horns; northern QLD
………....………………………………….………………………..….. “Halo-Irukandji”
7b. Body about 2 cm tall, with halo-like tentacle bands; with 2 velarial canal in each octant,
single main canal broadly bifurcated, and a narrow ad-interradial; with large, rounded
beehive-shaped perradial lappets, with a single large nematocyst wart on one side of the
lappets; with broad, nearly vertical rhopaliar horns; Dampier region
…………………...……………….……………………………..…. “Dampier Irukandji”
8a. Pedalial canal with prominent upward pointing spike at the bend ……………….……...…. 9
8b. Pedalial canal without prominent spike at the bend ……………………...…………..…… 10
9a. Bell extremely large (10-15 cm or more); tentacles wide and flat, flaring at top; velarial
canals extremely numerous and pinnate; coastal QLD & NSW ................... “Morbakka”
9b. Bell smaller (3-5 cm); pedalial canals square in cross section along most of length; velarial
canals dendritic and diverticulated, with 2 rows of conspicuous round nematocyst
patches on perradial lappets; Darwin area ..….................................. Gerongia rifkinae
10a. Body up to about 5 cm, with a noticeably flat top; with variable pedalial canal bend form,
but never spiked; 1 velarial canal root branching into about 4 simple, crooked canals per
octant; rhopalial horns short and broad, often curved inward like Viking horns; offshore
Broome area ………………......................................................…… Malo maxima
10b. Pedalial spike reduced to a nub; bell typically 3-4 cm, taller than wide, with a rounded top;
1 palmate velarial canal per octant, with numerous simple branches; northern QLD
……………………….……………………………………………… “Pseudo-Irukandji”
11a. Stomach flat, completely lacking mesenteries; phacellae in large crescentic bundles in
corners of stomach, with long cirri; velarial canals 3 per octant, of variable form
typically simple; rhopaliar niche ostium T-shaped (with 1 upper and 2 well developed
lower covering scales) ..………………………….…….…......................................…. 12
11b. Phacellae in brush-like bundles or in oblique rows across stomach corners; stomach flat,
with poorly developed mesenteries; velarial canals 2 per octant, biforked or complexly
branched; rhopaliar niche ostium heart-shaped (with 1 upper and 2 vestigial lower
covering scales), or open (lacking covering scales) ……….......................................... 13
12a. Bell to 10 cm, exceedingly taller than wide; cirri in crescentic rows of long parallel
filaments; nematocyst freckles very tiny, evenly scattered; velarial canals simple, 3 per
octant; rhopalial niches T-shaped; GBR .……………………...... Alatina mordens
12b. Bell to about 2 cm, with very minute sparsely scattered nematocyst freckles; with butterflyform
gonads, attached only in the center region of the interradial septa; with very long
pedalial stalks; GBR ………….………………………………… Alatina rainensis
13a. Rhopaliar niche ostium heart-shaped ………………...…...…………...……………….… 14
13b. Rhopaliar niche ostium like a vertical key-hole, lacking covering scales; bell minute,
typically less than 1 cm, with adhesion pads near apex which may or may not be visible;
tentacles banded brown and orange; N. QLD …………………......… Carybdea sivickisi
14a. Phacellae in single-rooted brush-like dendritic bundles; bell about 1-2 cm, with scattered
nematocyst freckles; velarial canals 2 per octant, of 2 forms: those nearest the rhopaliar
radii simply dichotomous, those nearest the pedalial radii complexly dichotomous;
rhopalial niches heart-shaped; Southern WA and Far North QLD
…………………………………………...……………………...…Carybdea xaymacana
14b. Phacellae in elongated rows, set obliquely across stomach corners; bell 3-4 cm; cirri in
horizontal rows of small bundles; nematocyst freckles scattered over bell and along
pedalial outer keel; velarial canals 2 per octant, biforked; rhopalial niches heart-shaped;
SA and Southern WA …………………………………………...…… Carybdea rastonii
15a. Body well pigmented with brownish spots; subumbrella with horizontal muscle bands;
gastric saccules absent; gonads filamentous; GBR……….....……. Chirodectes maculatus
15b. Body typically transparent and colourless ………………………...……………………... 16
16a. Pedalial canal with upward-pointing thorn at bend; with cockscomb-like saccules that are
functioning gonads; up to 4 x 15 tentacles, flat in cross section and thick; body size to
38 cm, lethal above 8-10 cm; tropical Australia …................................ Chironex fleckeri
16b. Pedalial canal lacking thorn, typically knee-shaped; tentacles fewer than 10 per corner,
round and fine; gastric saccules sessile, knob-shaped or coalesced ..........................… 17
17a. Pedalial canal bend rounded or with sharp 90° angle, lacking thorn; gastric saccules solid,
smoothly rounded, separate knob-like swellings; up to 4 x 9 fine, round tentacles; body
size 8-10 cm; northern QLD ……………….....……… Chiropsella bronzie
17b. Pedalial canal bend rounded, lacking thorn; gastric saccule pairs coalesced into a single,
solid, kidney bean-shaped swelling; up to 4 x 6 fine, round tentacles; body size to about
5 cm; Arnhem Land, N.T. ……..…....................................Chiropsella bart

General References

Franc 1995. Classe des Cubozoaires. pp. 885-922 in D. Doumenc & J. Bouillon (eds). Traité de Zoologie. Paris : Masson. [885-922] (In French)

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls

Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer. [423-449, 640-641, pls 25, 26] (In German)

Werner, B. 1984. Klasse Cubozoa. Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie. H. E. Gruner. Stuttgart, Gustav Fischer Verlag. 2: 106-133. pp. 106–133 in Gruner, H.E. (ed). Lehrbuch der Speziellen Zoologie. Stuttgart : Gustav Fischer Verlag. [106-133] (In German)

Williamson, J., Fenner, P., Burnett, J. & Rifkin, J. (eds) 1996. Venomous and Poisonous Marine Animals: a medical and biological handbook. Sydney, Australia : NSW University Press 800 pp.

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [102]

Introduction

The elevation of the order Cubomedusae to the class level by Werner (1973) left an illogical classification, wherein the Class Cubozoa and the Order Cubomedusae define precisely the same set of species at the upper taxonomic levels, resulting in inappropriate groupings and thus loss of resolution at the lower taxonomic levels (e.g. the families Carybdeidae and Chirodropidae, the genera Carybdea and Chiropsalmus).

A finer resolution of the lower taxonomic groups was attempted by Werner (1984), by raising the former “family Carybdeidae” (=all cubozoans with unbranched pedalia) and the former “family Chirodropidae” (=all cubozoans with branched pedalia) to the ordinal level, i.e., the orders Carybdeida and Chirodropida. This initiative was not widely adopted until recently, when it was upheld by Gershwin in numerous revisions and new descriptions from 2005 onward.

The Order Carybdeida is attributed to Gegenbaur (1856) by the Principle of Coordination, because he was the first to recognise the Carybdeidae as a family, although not in its current sense.

Diagnosis

Cubozoa with one or more simple, unbranched oar-like pedalia per corner, with only a single tentacle per pedalium; gastric saccules lacking; gastric phacellae present or absent.

General References

Gegenbaur, C. 1856. Studien uber organisation und systematik der Ctenophoren. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 22(1): 163-205, pls 7-8

Gershwin, L.-A. 2014. Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome. Records of the Western Australian Museum 29: 10-19

Gershwin, L.-A. & Hannay, P. 2014. An anomalous cluster of Irukandji jelly stings (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) at Ningaloo Reef. Records of the Western Australian Museum 29: 78-81

Werner, B. 1973. New investigations on systematics and evolution of the class Scyphozoa and the phylum Cnidaria. Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory 20: 35–61 [Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Cnidaria]

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [504]

Introduction

The family Alatinidae was erected in 2005 to separate the species cluster previously associated with or known as "Carybdea alata" away from the other species of Carybdea; based on numerous structural features. Also in the Alatinidae is the enigmatic branched-tentacled Manokia stiasnyi from Papua New Guinea. Most of the species in the Alatinidae are poorly known and in need of new material. At least three forms are known from Australian waters, namely, Alatina mordens from the outer Great Barrier Reef region, the diminutive Alatina rainensis, currently only known from Raine Island, and a very large form from Ningaloo Reef that has been previously identified as "Carybdea alata grandis"; however, whether it is identical to the true A. grandis remains to be demonstrated.

CAUTION: It should be noted that Alatina mordens has been associated with several life-threatening cases of Irukandji syndrome; the species and its relatives should not be handled, and sting victims should be monitored for at least 30 minutes for development of severe systemic symptoms.

Diagnosis

Gastric phacellae crescentic, comprised of long cirri arranged more or less parallel in a single plane; with T-shaped rhopalial niche ostia, comprised of a single upper covering scale and 2 lower, well developed covering scales; with 3 or 4 more or less simple velarial canals per octant; with a shallow stomach, completely lacking perradial mesenteries.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [504]

History of changes

• Alatina Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [504].

  Type species:

   Alatina mordens Gershwin, 2005 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Tropical and warm seas of the world.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Diagnosis

Alatinidae with 3 velarial canals per octant; tentacles simple.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [504]

History of changes

• Carybdea alata Reynaud, M. 1830. Carybdea alata n. sp. 95 in Lesson, R.P. (ed). Centurie Zoologique. Paris : Levrault. [95].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Somewhere in the South Atlantic.

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic.

Diagnosis

[Unrecognizable at the current time]

Notes

Alatina alata (Reynaud, 1830) comb. nov., is completely unrecognizable based on the original description and illustration, but because of the prevalence of the name in the literature, should be stabilized by declaration of a neotype; a full redescription of a South Atlantic specimen will serve as the basis for identification of the taxon in the future. Accordingly, an application to the ICZN to conserve A.alata will be submitted as soon as a suitable neotype is located.

History of changes

• Carybdea alata grandis Agassiz, A. & Mayer, A.G. 1902. Reports of the scientific research expedition to the tropical Pacific. U.S. Fish Comm. St. Albatross, 1899–1900. III. The Medusae. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard College 26(3): 139–176, 14 pls [153].

Generic Combinations

• Alatina grandis (Agassiz & Mayer, 1902). —
  Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [516]

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic.

Diagnosis

The species seems distinctive based on its extremely large size, and in having only one median eye and short, branched velarial canals.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [516]

Notes

Reported in Australia by: Marsh & Slack-Smith, 1986; Williamson et al., 1996.

The type material of this species from the Paumotus, has apparently been lost; neither MCZ nor USNM know of its whereabouts. Specimens from the Society Islands (MCZ1043 and MCZ 342), identified by H. Bigelow as C. grandis, match the original description but are too poorly preserved to be usefully interpretable. One (MCZ 342, BH 170.93, DBW 57.78, IRW 33.56+), bears the following collection data: Pacific Ocean, Society Islands, coll. A. Garrett, 29.ix.1861; originally preserved in alcohol, now preserved in formalin. The other (MCZ 1043, BH 184.55, DBW 59.55, IRW33.18), was apparently collected at the same time, and delivered to the MCZ by A. Garrett in 1864 (Fig. 5B). The species seems distinctive based on its extremely large size, and in having only one median eye and short, branched velarial canals.

General References

Marsh, L. & Slack-Smith, S. 1986. Sea Stingers. Perth, Western Australia : Western Australian Museum.

Williamson, J., Fenner, P., Burnett, J. & Rifkin, J. (eds) 1996. Venomous and Poisonous Marine Animals: a medical and biological handbook. Sydney, Australia : NSW University Press 800 pp.

History of changes

• Alatina mordens Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [504].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM G55282♂ (coll. 13 November 1998; forwarded by J. Seymour; capturedwithin minutes of severe Irukandji sting reported by Mulcahy, 1999), Moore Reef, GBR [16°52.160'S 146°12.353'E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA H1013, collected with holotype; SAMA H1053 (coll. 29 January 2000; forwarded by P. Colwell; captured within minutes of Irukandji stings.), Osprey Reef, Coral Sea [approx. 13°54.190'S 146°38.985'E]; QM G317058 (coll. 24 April 1998, forwarded by R.Hore), Agincourt Reef,GBR [approx. 16°01.907'S 145°51.203'E]; QM G317059, collected with QM G317058; 2003-10 (forwarded by R.Hore, captured following superficial sting of 12 year old boy), Agincourt Reef, GBR; QM G55288♂ (coll. 25 Aug 2003), Agincourt Reef,GBR.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Cape Province (20), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic.

Diagnosis

Bell tall, tapered, apically truncate, with exumbrellar nematocyst freckles; with crescentic phacellae, comprising many tufts of long cirri which branch only near the root; with 3 straight, simple to triforked velarial canals in each octant, bearing a row of 1-5, typically 1-3, small, round nematocyst freckles on root area; with broadly rounded adaxial pedalia keels; with simple rounded pedalial canal.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [506]

Notes

Alatina mordens is a highly dangerous species. Its sting has been associated with severe cases of Irukandji syndrome requiring life support in previously well victims. Contact with this species should be avoided.

Sypmtoms of Irukandji syndrome involve severe lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, profuse sweating, and in some cases severe hypertension. Complications can involve brain haemorrage, pulmonary oedema, and death.

If stung, flush the area with vinegar as soon as possible to iinactivate undischarged stinging cells. Monitor the patient for at least 30 minutes; if symptoms develop, seek urgent medical attention.

General References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Aldersladia magnificus: a new genus and species of hydromedusa(Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Leptomedusae: Aequoreidae) from tropical and subtropical Australia. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 22: 9–13

History of changes

• Alatina rainensis Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [510].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM G55286♀ (collected by J. Seymour, Dec. 2002), Raine Island, Great Barrier Reef [11°35'34"S 144°02'12"E].
  Paratype(s) QM G55287♀, collected with holotype.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Raine Island.

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic, planktonic.

Diagnosis

Alatina with body height at maturity small; gonads butterfly-form, attached in the central portion of the interradii only; phacellae with cirri rooted singly or in pairs.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [510]

History of changes

• Keesingia Gershwin, L.-A. 2014. Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome. Records of the Western Australian Museum 29: 10-19 [11].

  Type species:

   Keesingia gigas Gershwin, 2014 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29)

History of changes

• Keesingia gigas Gershwin, L.-A. 2014. Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome. Records of the Western Australian Museum 29: 10-19 [13].
  Zoobank Registration Number:org:act:801E03E8-634D-41C1-B72B-C4D33447E84A

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z27970 immature specimen, 5 nm west of Cape Inscription, Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay, Western Australia [25°36'28''S 112°51'54''E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Province (29)

History of changes

History of changes

• Carukia Southcott, R.V. 1967. Revision of some Carybdeidae (Scyphozoa: Cubomedusae), including a description of the jellyfish responsible for the "Irukandji syndrome". Australian Journal of Zoology 15: 651–671 [653].

  Type species:

   Carukia barnesi Southcott, 1967 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Diagnosis

Small Cubomedusae with a single pedalium and tentacle at each interradius. Gastric cirri absent. Stomach moderately deep, with a fairly short manubrium and supported by only meagre suspensoria (“mesenteries”). Velarium with two canals in each octant. Exumbrella and velarium with prominent mamillations, one such being over the adperradial velarial canal.

Diagnosis References

Southcott, R.V. 1967. Revision of some Carybdeidae (Scyphozoa: Cubomedusae), including a description of the jellyfish responsible for the "Irukandji syndrome". Australian Journal of Zoology 15: 651–671 [653]

History of changes

• Carukia barnesi Southcott, R.V. 1967. Revision of some Carybdeidae (Scyphozoa: Cubomedusae), including a description of the jellyfish responsible for the "Irukandji syndrome". Australian Journal of Zoology 15: 651–671 [653].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA H345♀ (10 Dec 1961), Palm Beach, QLD.
  Paratype(s) SAMA H346♂ (18 Nov 1964), Ellis Beach, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, pelagic, planktonic.

Diagnosis

IDENTIFICATION. Originally distinguished primarily based on the absence of phacellae, Carukia barnesi is quite distinctive in a number of features. The body is small (ca. 1 cm bell height) and quite mammillated, with an interesting reticulated pattern partitioning off each wart on the apex. The tentacles have unmistakable “handkerchief-like” or “tailed” rings, with fairly long regions of unadorned tentacle shaft in between. The rhopalial niche ostia are of the frown form, with the “rhopalial horns” very long at a strong upward angle, and the pedalial canals are simple, lacking any sort of diverticula at the bend. The velarium is quite distinctive, with 2 canals per octant, all alike in the form of simple triangles, with a single nematocyst wart on the one nearest the perradius, and the perradial lappets are present but lacking nematocyst warts. The statoliths are sub-circular in outline, without a basal concavity and lacking an apical “tooth” projection. The tentacular nematocysts are of a single type only, i.e., egg-shaped euryteles or tumiteles, 25-26 x 15-18 (Southcott, 1967).

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [116]

History of changes

• Carukia shinju Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30 [5].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM WAM Z29939 ♂ (16 April 2004, caught by night-light), offshore from 80 Mile Beach, in the pearling grounds South of Broome, Kimberley coast, Western Australia [19°13.021S, 121°15.399E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Province (27)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, pelagic, planktonic.

Diagnosis

Carukia with a body height of about 16mm; with branched velarial canals; with nematocyst warts on the velarial canals and perradial lappets; with long, narrow, capitate rhopaliar horns; tentacular nematocysts lacking a well-defined swelling on the shaft, with spination along the length of the shaft.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30 [5]

History of changes

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Great barrier Reef.

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, epipelagic, marine, neritic, planktonic.

Notes

A form of Carukia, which does not match the description of any other known species, has been found several times in the Great Barrier Reef region. Its identity is still under investigation.

History of changes

Introduction

The family Carybdeidae has a long and complicated nomenclatural history. The family was originally named by Gegenbaur (1856) with the spelling “Charybdeidae”, comprising only Carybdea marsupialis. This was confusing, because Peron & Lesueur (1810) established the genus Carybdea with C. periphylla (a coronate scyphozoan) listed first, not C. marsupialis. Agassiz (1862) used the family Charybdeidae (sic) to separate “Charybdea periphylla” from the Marsupialidae, which encompassed taxa with simple and complex pedalia now collectively grouped as the Cubozoa, i.e., the genera Marsupialis, Tamoya, Bursarius, and Chiropsalmus. Haeckel (1880) dropped the name Marsupialidae, and applied the name Carybdeidae exclusively to those taxa with unforked pedalia.

Mayer (1910) used the present spelling at the Order level, to refer to all species that we now group within the Cubozoa. Bigelow (1938) restored the Haeckelian classification, which has been generally followed up to the present day. However, when Werner (1984) elevated the family Carybdeidae to the order Carybdeida, that left a confusing redundancy, with the order and the family referring to precisely the same set of taxa.

Gershwin (2005a; 2005c) redefined the family Carybdeidae upon the removal of the "Carybdea alata" species complex to the newly established family Alatinidae.

Diagnosis

Carybdeida with gastric phacellae; with poorly defined rhopaliar niche covering scales; with nematocyst clusters on the pedalia; with unbranched tentacles.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [521]

General References

Agassiz, L. 1862. Contributions to the Natural History of the United States of America. Second monograph. In five parts — Pt. I Acalephs in general. Pt. II Ctenophore. Pt. III. Discophorae. Pt. IV. Hydroidae. Pt. V. Homologies of the Radiata. Boston, London : Little Brown, Trubner Vol. IV i-viii, 380 pp. + (1-10), pls 20-35.

Bigelow, H.B. 1938. Plankton of the Bermuda Oceanographic Expeditions. VIII. Medusae taken during the years 1929 and 1930. Zoologica (New York) 23(part 2)(5-9): 99–189, text-figs 1–23

Gegenbaur, C. 1856. Studien uber organisation und systematik der Ctenophoren. Archiv für Naturgeschichte 22(1): 163-205, pls 7-8

Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer.

Mayer, A.G. 1910. Medusae of the World. Vol. 1 and 2, The Hydromedusae. Vol. 3, The Scyphomedusae. Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution 735 pp., 76 pls. [reprinted by A. Asher & Co., 1977]

Péron, F. & Lesueur, C.A. 1810. Tableau des caractères génériques et spécifiques de toutes les espèces de méduses connues jusqu'à ce jour. Annales du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 14: 325–366

History of changes

• Carybdea Péron, F. & Lesueur, C.A. 1810. Tableau des caractères génériques et spécifiques de toutes les espèces de méduses connues jusqu'à ce jour. Annales du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 14: 325–366 [332].

  Type species:

   Carybdea marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 by subsequent designation, see Mayer, A.G. 1910. Medusae of the World. Vol. 1 and 2, The Hydromedusae. Vol. 3, The Scyphomedusae. Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution 735 pp., 76 pls. [reprinted by A. Asher & Co., 1977] [506].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan in warm waters

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Diagnosis

Carybdeidae with epaulette-shaped or linear phacellae, comprised of short gastric cirri; with heart-shaped rhopaliar niche ostia; with usually two, sometimes 3-4, dendritically branched velarial canals per octant; with scalpel-shaped pedalia, typically with nematocyst clusters on the outer keel.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. 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 [521]

History of changes

• Carybdea rastonii Haacke, W. 1886. Über die Ontogenie der Cubomedusen. Zoologischer Anzeiger 9: 554–555 [554].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Also reported from Japan, Hawaii, and California; non-Australian records are likely to be erroneous.

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic, planktonic.

Diagnosis

IDENTIFICATION. Medium sized (ca. 3-4 cm bell height), with heart-shaped rhopalial niche ostia, scalpel-shaped pedalia, and linear phacellae orientated obliquely across the corners of the stomach. The velarium has 2 canals per octant, and they tend to be quite complexly branched, even at a relatively immature stage. The bell is fairly robust, and protected with numerous nematocyst patches, which may be on slight gelatinous warts. The statoliths are broad and dome-shaped (or thick, kidney-bean-shaped) with rounded edges. The tentacular nematocysts are of two types: 1) football-shaped microbasic euryteles or tumiteles, 20-30 x 13-18 and 2) egg-shaped isorhizas, 9-13 x 7-8

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [112]

General References

Grove, S. 2013. Jimbles in the Derwent. The Tasmanian Naturalist 135: 41-42 (distribution extension)

Common Name References

Southcott, R.V. 1963. Medical effects of jellyfish. Australian Skindivers Magazine 13(7): 16–21 [20] (Jimble)

History of changes

• Carybdea xaymacana Conant, F.S. 1897. Notes on the Cubomedusae (an abstract). Johns Hopkins University Circulars 132: 8–10, fig. 8 [8].

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Belize, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, estuary, marine, pelagic.

Diagnosis

IDENTIFICATION. Body small to medium (about 2-3 cm tall), with heart-shaped rhopaliar niche ostia, scalpel-shaped pedalia, and epaulette-like phacellae. The velarial canals are 2 per octant, with the adperradial typically being much less branched than the adinterradial. The South Western Australian form of C. xaymacana has statoliths of a similar shape to C. rastonii, i.e., rounded pentagonal shape, broad and dome-shaped, or thick, kidney-bean-shaped, depending on one’s perspective. The tentacular nematocysts of the southwestern Australian form are of two types: 1) large club-shaped microbasic euryteles, range 26-37 x 12-15 and 2) small oval isorhizas, 9-12 x 5-7 The tentacular euryteles of the Caribbean form are about the same size (29-33 x 12-15 but have a much finer tubule; isorhizas could not be found.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [112]

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2005. A new genus and species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Australian waters. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 27–36 [29]

Introduction

Haeckel (1880, 1881) used his subfamily Tamoyidae to include the genera Carybdea and Tamoya, compared to his subfamily Procharagmidae, which included his genera Procharagma and Procharybdis. He separated Carybdea from Tamoya based on the latter having a large stomach, wide mesenteries, and peculiar gastric filaments. Haeckel (1881: 92) confused the orientation of the radii in the Cubozoa, stating that the gastric filaments of Carybdea “are distributed horizontally in the four perradial corners of the bottom of the stomach…,” whereas in Tamoya “they extend as four vertical bands in the interradial lateral lines of the large depending gastral sac.” In fact, by definition, the corners are interradial and the flat sides are perradial. Furthermore, he was mistaken in thinking that the filaments were offset from the typical corner location; as explained by Bigelow (1938), the phacellae of Tamoya are located between the perradial mesenteries. However, they are quite peculiar in being oriented vertically rather than horizontally.

The family Tamoyidae was used by Gershwin & Alderslade (2005) to include those genera with vertical or absent phacellae and a frown-shaped rhopaliar niche (e.g. Carukia, Gerongia, and Tamoya), and to exclude those genera with horizontal, brush-shaped, or crescentic phacellae and heart-shaped, odd-shaped, or T-shaped rhopaliar niches (e.g. Alata, Carybdea, Manokia, and Tripedalia).

Diagnosis

Carybdeida with rhopalial niches bordered by a single upper and single lower covering scale, giving the appearance of a human frown or dumb-bell shape; with phacellae comprised of vertically arranged clusters of cirri, or lacking phacellae; with or without an upward-pointing “thorn” at the bend of the pedalial canals. Typically with well developed mesenteries, but they may be reduced. With simple or complex velarial canals.

ID Keys

A comparative table of characters for the genera in the Tamoyidae may be found in Gershwin & Alderslade (2005: 29).

General References

Bigelow, H.B. 1938. Plankton of the Bermuda Oceanographic Expeditions. VIII. Medusae taken during the years 1929 and 1930. Zoologica (New York) 23(part 2)(5-9): 99–189, text-figs 1–23

Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2005. A new genus and species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Australian waters. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 27–36

Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer.

Haeckel, E.H. 1881. Report on the deep sea medusae dredged by the H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 4: 1-154

History of changes

• Gerongia Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2005. A new genus and species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Australian waters. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 27–36 [28].

  Type species:

   Gerongia rifkinae Gershwin & Alderslade, 2005 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland

IMCRA

Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Northern Shelf Province (25), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Diagnosis

Tamoyidae with gastric phacellae absent; rhopalial horns short, broad, curved inward; adaxial pedalial keels broadly rounded, overhanging; upward pointing, blind-ending thorn-shaped pocket at bend of pedalial canal; base of tentacles greatly flared; large, ballooned stomach attached to subumbrellar walls by moderately well-developed perradial mesenteries; two parallel rows of low, rounded, nematocyst warts on the perradial lappets of the velarium.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2005. A new genus and species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Australian waters. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 27–36 [28]

History of changes

• Gerongia rifkinae Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2005. A new genus and species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Australian waters. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 27–36 [27].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM C11183 (at surface, coll. P. Alderslade, 23 April 1992), Shoal Bay, about 1 km east of the mouth of Buffalo Creek, Port Darwin, NT.
  Paratype(s) (heaps of paratypes).

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic.

Diagnosis

As for the genus: Tamoyidae with gastric phacellae absent; rhopalial horns short, broad, curved inward; adaxial pedalial keels broadly rounded, overhanging; upward pointing, blind-ending thorn-shaped pocket at bend of pedalial canal; base of tentacles greatly flared; large, ballooned stomach attached to subumbrellar walls by moderately well-developed perradial mesenteries; two parallel rows of low, rounded, nematocyst warts on the perradial lappets of the velarium.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2005. A new genus and species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Australian waters. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 21: 27–36 [31]

Sting

At this time, very little is known about the stinging power of Gerongia rifkinae. However, it does not appear to be a severe health threat to humans. Two stingings are confirmed from the retained specimens; both involved only localized pain, without any systemic symptoms; one is discussed in detail by Williamson et al. (1996). Additional stings are correlated based on nematocysts taken from the skin of the victims (O’Reilly et al. 2001), some with Irukandji syndrome overlap, but specimens were unavailable for positive identifi cation. A single known experimental sting produced mild Irukandji syndrome symptoms (B. Currie pers. comm., March 2004). While it seems convincing that G. rifkinae can produce only mild Irukandji syndrome, it should nonetheless be handled with care, with the caution that specimen maturity, venom load, or personal sensitivity may conceivably produce a more severe reaction.

General References

Williamson, J., Fenner, P., Burnett, J. & Rifkin, J. (eds) 1996. Venomous and Poisonous Marine Animals: a medical and biological handbook. Sydney, Australia : NSW University Press 800 pp.

History of changes

• Malo Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30 [9].

  Type species:

   Malo maxima Gershwin, 2005 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Diagnosis

Tamoyidae without gastric phacellae; with frown-shaped rhopaliar niche ostia; with rhopaliar horns; with two median eyes only, lacking lateral eye spots; with fine, cylindrical, unmodified tentacles; with one stomach pouch extension branching into about 4-5 simple to bifurcated velarial canals per octant; with moderately developed perradial mesenteries; pedalial canals lacking prominent thorn.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30 [10] (Now recognised in Family Tamoyidae)

History of changes

• Malo bella Gershwin, L.-A. 2014. Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome. Records of the Western Australian Museum 29: 10-19 [16].
  Zoobank Registration Number:org:act:A4DE4BCD-C9D5-4683-901A-AABD532650C6tion

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM Z27971, approx. 300 m east of the sandy beach in front of the Harold E. Holt Memorial Communications Base, Exmouth Gulf [21°53'28.37''S 114°08'57.47''E (est. GPS from Google Earth)].
  Paratype(s) NTM C14617, C5143, C14617 4 specimens, Trimoville Island, Western Australia [20°24'S 115°34'E].

Introduction

Previously referred to as "Dampier Irukandji" (Gershwin 2005a,b, 2007); Malo n. sp. A "Dampier Irukandji" (Gershwin 2006) — paratype NTM C14617; "Undescribed species of Malo … known from the islands off Exmouth" (Gershwin et al. 2013).

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Montebello Islands.

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Western Shelf Transition (28)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, neritic.

General References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls

Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30

Gershwin, L. 2007. Malo kingi: A new species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida), possibly lethal to humans, from Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa 1659: 55–68

History of changes

• Malo kingi Gershwin, L. 2007. Malo kingi: A new species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida), possibly lethal to humans, from Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa 1659: 55–68 [55-68, figs. 1-4].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM G317361 ♂ (Col: R. Hore, 03/1997), Port Douglas Marina, Dickson Inlet, QLD.
  Paratype(s) SAMA H968 ♂, Harbour Beach, Mackay, QLD; AMS G16005 ♂, same data as SAMA H968; MTQ G55276 ♀, same data as SAMA H968.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, neritic.

Diagnosis

Malo with halo-like rings encircling tentacles; nematocysts inserted end-on into edges of rings, radiating outward; velarial canals with one root per octant, palmate, with 4 digitiform extensions; bell with pale purple nematocyst warts.

Notes

This species has been linked with a fatal sting to a previously healthy person; in numerous other cases it has been linked with extremely hypertensive events requiring life support. For these reasons, this species is considered highly dangerous and contact should be avoided if possible.

Symptoms of this version of Irukandji syndrome include severe lower back pain, profuse sweating, full body cramps and spasms, difficulty breathing, and severe hypertension (e.g., 280/180). Some patients also experience nausea and vomiting. Complications from the syndrome can include brain haemmorhage (stroke), pulmonary oedema (including heart failure), and death.

In the event of a sting or suspected sting, rinse the area with vinegar to inactivate remaining undischarged stinging cells. If symptoms develop, call for an ambulance. Treatment outcomes are generally good if prompt medical attention is sought.

History of changes

• Malo maxima Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30 [12].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM WAM Z29940 (15 May 2004, caught by night-light), offshore from 80 Mile Beach, in the pearling grounds South of Broome, Kimberley coast, Western Australia [19°13.529S, 121°15.856E].
  Paratype(s) WAM Z29941♀ (gravid female), same locality as holotype, 16 April 2004; WAM Z29946 (lot of 14), 10km off Gantheaume Point, Broome; WAM Z29942♂, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29943♂, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29944♂, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29945♂, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29947♂, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29948♂, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29949♀, same general locality as holotype; WAM Z29942, same general locality as holotype; QM G324167♂, same general locality as holotype; AM G17010♂, same general locality as holotype; SAMA H1409♂, same general locality as holotype; NTM C15023♀, same general locality as holotype; MTQ G55400♂, same general locality as holotype.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IMCRA

Timor Province (2), Northwest Transition (3), Northwest Province (4)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, pelagic, planktonic.

Diagnosis

Malo with tall, narrow, robust body, to about 5cm BH; with flattened apex; with small, narrow pedalia, each with a single row of nematocyst patches on outer keel; rhopalial horns short, broad; 4-5 velarial canals per octant, simple to bifurcated, arising from single wide base at velarial turnover; with flap-like perradial mesenteries to about 1/3 BH toward rhopalia.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome. Zootaxa 1084: 1–30 [13]

Sting

Malo maxima is apparently an extremely dangerous animal. See original description for detailed case history.

History of changes

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, neritic.

Notes

A form of Malo, which does not match the description of any other known species, has been found several times in the Great Barrier Reef region. Its identity is still under investigation. This is the “Halo-Irukandji” of Gershwin, 2005b&c.

History of changes

• Morbakka Gershwin, L. 2008. Morbakka fenneri, A new genus and species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa). In, Davie, P.J.F. & Phillips, J.A. (Eds), Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Marine Biological Workshop, The Marine Fauna and Flora of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 54(1): 23–33 [24].

  Type species:

   Morbakka fenneri Gershwin, 2008 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Diagnosis

Tamoyidae with tall, robust, conspicuously warty body; with flat, broad, ribbon-like tentacles; with well developed ‘spike’ in bend of pedalial canal; with conspicuous perradial lappets on the velarium; with long, straight ‘rabbit-ear-form’ rhopalial horns; exumbrellar warts typically coloured bright pink.

History of changes

• Morbakka fenneri Gershwin, L. 2008. Morbakka fenneri, A new genus and species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa). In, Davie, P.J.F. & Phillips, J.A. (Eds), Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Marine Biological Workshop, The Marine Fauna and Flora of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 54(1): 23–33 [23-33, figs. 1-5].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM QM-G322299 (coll. Dept. of Environment, 13.01.1998), North Stradbroke Isiand.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39)

Diagnosis

As for genus.

History of changes

• Tamoya Müller, F. 1859. Zwei neue Quallen von Santa Catharina. Abhandlungen des Naturforschenden Gessellschaft Halle 5(1): 12 pp., pls I–III [3].

  Type species:

   Tamoya haplonema Müller, 1859 by subsequent designation, see Mayer, A.G. 1910. Medusae of the World. Vol. 1 and 2, The Hydromedusae. Vol. 3, The Scyphomedusae. Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution 735 pp., 76 pls. [reprinted by A. Asher & Co., 1977] [512].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Samoa (American), French Polynesia, Western Samoa, United States of America: New York, South Carolina, Argentina, Brazil

Diagnosis

Tamoyidae wtih a large robust body; with prominent warts on the exumbrella; with vertical fields of phaecellae in horizontal bands; stomach with well developed mesenteries; with thick, heavy, flattened tentacles; pedalial canals with prominent upward-pointing thorn at the bend; lacking perradial lappets.

Misidentifications

It is still common to find reference to Tamoya being found in Australia, particularly in the older literature or those referencing it. However, the true Tamoya is only known from the Atlantic and has not been credibly demonstrated to occur in Australian waters or any other locality in the Pacific or Indian Oceans. In Australia, reports of Tamoya from east coast waters generally refer to Morbakka, while on the west coast, reports are usually in reference to an undescribed species of Alatina.

History of changes

• Tamoya gargantua Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer. [444].

Distribution

Ecological Descriptors

Marine, pelagic.

Notes

Reported in Australia by: Marsh & Slack Smith 1986; Williamson et al. 1996.

Nomenclature:
The species was reported in Australian waters as T. gargantua, but is more accurately known as T. haeckeli Southcott, 1967.

The nomenclature of this species was partially corrected by Southcott (1967), based on the discussions of Bigelow (1938) and Kramp (1956b, 1961b). To summarize, Lesson (1829) applied the name Beroe gargantua to a form from New Guinea; later this was transferred to the genus Epomis (Lesson, 1836; 1843). Whatever name Lesson's form is known by, it is still unrecognizable due to the inadequate description and confusing figure.

Haeckel was the first to provide a description adequate for recognition to the species that Lesson had used earlier, as Tamoya gargantua from Samoa. However, it is not clear whether Lesson's and Haeckel's specimens actually belonged to the same species.

Mayer (1910) dismissed T. gargantua in a single sentence, regarding it is too imperfectly known to be retained.

Bigelow (1938) was the first to attempt to straighten out the confusion, concluding that the name T. gargantua sensu Haeckel should be retained in the interest of stability. Kramp (1956b) agreed with Bigelow that all Indo-Pacific specimens of Tamoya belong to the same species, which he considered to be T. gargantua Haeckel non Lesson, but later (1961b) considered T. gargantua Haeckel to be possibly identical to the Atlantic T. haplonema.

Finally, Southcott (1967) proposed a new name, T. haeckeli, to replace T. gargantua Haeckel non Lesson, based on the fact that the specific name gargantua was applied by Haeckel in error. However, the above changes apply to the name only, so the form to which it applies, and thus its relationships to other species, remains unclear.

Misidentifications

Tamoya gargantua is occasionally reported from northwest shelf waters of Western Australia. However, these reports actually refer to an undescribed species of Alatina. Tamoya gargantua has not been credibly demonstrated to occur in Australian waters.

General References

Marsh, L. & Slack-Smith, S. 1986. Sea Stingers. Perth, Western Australia : Western Australian Museum.

Mayer, A.G. 1910. Medusae of the World. Vol. 1 and 2, The Hydromedusae. Vol. 3, The Scyphomedusae. Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution 735 pp., 76 pls. [reprinted by A. Asher & Co., 1977]

Williamson, J., Fenner, P., Burnett, J. & Rifkin, J. (eds) 1996. Venomous and Poisonous Marine Animals: a medical and biological handbook. Sydney, Australia : NSW University Press 800 pp.

History of changes

• Tamoya virulenta Kishinouye, K. 1910. Some medusae of Japanese waters. Journal of the College of Science, Imperial University of Tokyo 27(art. 9): 1–35, 5 pls [7].

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Japan, in the Inland Sea, off Kogoshima and Innoshima.

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

Notes

Reported in Australia by: Williamson et al. 1996; Davie 1998.

Nomenclature:
Mayer (1910: 726) synonymized Tamoya virulenta Kishinouye, 1910, into Carybdea alata sensu Reynaud; one must assume that he did not see the figures published by Kishinouye, because they bear a similarity to his own figures of Tamoya haplonema. The name Tamoya alata was not used by Mayer, but I believe he was largely responsible for the confusion between the Japanese species T. virulenta, which has a most decided tamoyid morphology, and Carybdea alata, which most definitely does not.

Uchida (1929) applied the name Tamoya alata to the form that was previously described by Kishinouye as Tamoya virulenta, and also to what he thought was a juvenile of the same form, but was apparently a young Carybdea sivickisi. In the synonymy for Tamoya alata, he included all the species and varieties that had ever been referred to Carybdea alata Reynaud.

Uchida (1947) discussed the nomenclature of Tamoya alata, concluding that the Pacific form (i.e., Tamoya virulenta from Japan, plus an apparently different form from Arnhem Land) must be called Tamoya bursaria by priority. In fact, Haeckel's (1880) name T. bursaria was simply a new name for Lesson's (1829) Bursarius cythereae.

Kramp (1961b) referred most prior usages of the name (Stiasny, 1929c, 1935, 1937a, b; Uchida, 1929b; Rao, 1931a) to T. gargantua Haeckel non Lesson.

The species is probably in the 'Morbakka' group, common in Australian waters, which superficially resembles the Atlantic Tamoya, but differs from it as follows: Tamoya has vertical phacellae, whereas Morbakka lacks them completely; Morbakka has rhopaliar horns and perradial lappets, whereas both structures are lacking in Tamoya; the nematocysts are completely different between the two groups (see Gershwin, 2006 Nematocysts of the Cubozoa).

Sting

Sting Notes:
According to Kishinouye, “This species is known among fishermen as "hikurage," which means fire medusa or inflaming medusa, so named from the fiery sting.”

Misidentifications

Tamoya virulenta is often reported from coastal Queensland and New South Wales waters. However, these are mistaken reports that actually refer to Morbakka fenneri or one of its local varieties. Tamoya is not demonstrated to credibly occur in Australian waters.

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [103]

Introduction

The Tripedaliidae has not been widely adopted, but rather, has generally been considered to be within the Carybdeidae (in the historical sense). However, Gershwin (2005: 103) regarded the family as valid, comprising the genus Tripedalia and a yet unnamed new genus for the curious "Carybdea sivickisi". In this sense, the family is distinctive in having gonads that arise from the mid-point of the interradial septa, and take on a butterfly-like appearance as they grow. Both genera further have complex mating behaviours (Hartwick, 1991; Lewis & Long, 2005).

Diagnosis

Carybdeida with gonads attached along middle half of interradial septum, having a butterfly-form appearance; with rhopalial niche ostium of a shallow frown shape, with a greatly reduced lower covering scale; with single-stalked gastric phacellae; with 1 or more separate unbranched pedalia per corner.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2007. Personal communication.

General References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls

History of changes

• Copula Bentlage, Cartwright, Yanagihara, Lewis, Richards & Collins, 2010.

  Type species:

   Carybdea sivickisi Stiasny, 1926 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Hawaii, New Zealand, Palau, Philippines: Mindoro, Japan

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

History of changes

• Carybdea sivickisi Stiasny, G. 1926. Über Einige Scyphomedusen von Puerto Galera, Mindoro (Philippinen). Zoologische Mededelingen (Leiden) 9: 239–248 [240].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) RMNH No. 323 (9 specimens), Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Distribution

States

Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

New Zealand, Palau, Philippines: Mindoro, Japan

IMCRA

Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Southeast Shelf Transition (37)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, estuary, marine, sedentary.

Diagnosis

IDENTIFICATION. Small (less than 1 cm bell height), with a highly sculptured bell and vertical
keyhole-shaped rhopalial niche ostia, lacking the upper and/or lower covering scales typical of
other species. Other conspicuous characters include the pedalial keels being very narrow and the outer keel is decorated with a series of horizontal nematocyst bars; the phacellae comprise a crescent-shaped bundle of cirri which are individually rooted in the floor of the stomach; and
the velarial canals are 2 per octant and paw-like in shape. Furthermore, the exumbrella has four adhesive pads, one over each interradial quadrant of the stomach, though these are not always conspicuous. The gonads grow from the stomach downward, having a somewhat pendant appearance inside the coelenteron. The North Queensland form of C. sivickisi has horizontally elongate, sausage-shaped statoliths. The tentacular nematocysts are of four different types: 1) football-shaped euryteles, 13-19 x 10-12 2) football-shaped isorhizas with full tubules, 16-19 x 10-12 3) round euryteles, 11-12 x 10-11 and 4) long oval isorhizas, 9-11 x 4-6

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2005. Taxonomy and phylogeny of Australian Cubozoa. Unpublished PhD thesis. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD. 221 pp. 49 pls [114]

Notes

Reported in Australia by: Hartwick, 1991 (Townsville, QLD); new records for QLD (Whitsundays, Cairns and Port Douglas), SA (Spencer Gulf), and TAS (N Coast, Bass Strait), unpublished (Gershwin).

History of changes

• Tripedalia Conant, F.S. 1897. Notes on the Cubomedusae (an abstract). Johns Hopkins University Circulars 132: 8–10, fig. 8 [9].

  Type species:

   Tripedalia cystophora Conant, 1897 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, India: Orissa

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Diagnosis

Tripedaliidae with one or more simple pedalia per corner; with simple or slightly upward-spiked pedalial canals; with 2 or 3 simple, unbranched velarial canals per octant; with ellipsoidal, frown-shaped, or heart-shaped rhopalial niche ostia; with scattered exumbrellar nematocyst freckles; lacking perradial lappets.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2007. Personal communication.

History of changes

• Tripedalia binata Moore, S.J. 1988. A new species of cubomedusan (Cubozoa: Cnidaria) from northern Australia. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 5(1): 1–4 [2].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM C5858 (March 1985, among mangroves during high tide at surface), Elizabeth River, NT [12°35.5'S 130°56'E].
  Paratype(s) NTM C2944 a-i (11 specimens), collected wtih holotype; BMNH 1987-10.26.2-11 (10 specimens), collected with holotype; BMNH 1987-10.26.1 (at surface, 5 April 1983), Francis Bay, Darwin, NT [12°29'S 130°52'E].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

India: Orissa

IMCRA

Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, estuary, marine, planktonic.

Diagnosis

Tripedalia with two simple pedalia per corner; with rhopalial niche ostia frown-shaped with well developed upper covering scales and very shallow lower covering scales; with rhopaliar stalks adherent to the roof of the rhopaliar niches; pedalial canals simple, straight; velarial canals 3 per octant, simple.

History of changes

History of changes

• Procharybdis Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer. [437].

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Diagnosis

Carybdeida with pedalia and simple velarium, lacking canals and frenulae.

Diagnosis References

Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer. [437]

History of changes

• Marsupialis flagellata Lesson, R.P. 1843. Histoire Naturelle des Zoophytes. Acalèphes. Paris : Librairie encyclopédique de Roret. [278] [originally described in Lesson 1837: 9 (unpublished)].

Generic Combinations

• Procharybdis flagellata (Lesson, 1843).

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

Diagnosis

Parasol infundibuliform, mucous, smooth, conic, a white dulls, without no outside appearance of vascular rows. To some distance of the edge, are born four arms, thicken, thin to the top and finished by a way of small globular head. One alone drew a longer thong than three other tentacles. Consistence tough and mucilaginous.

Diagnosis References

Lesson, R.P. 1843. Histoire Naturelle des Zoophytes. Acalèphes. Paris : Librairie encyclopédique de Roret. [278]

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [4]

Introduction

The branched-pedalia species have long been recognised as separate from the simple-pedalia taxa, but both groupings were widely regarded to be at the family level. However, when Werner (1973) elevated the cubomedusae to the Class Cubozoa, that left the Order Cubomedusae and the Class Cubozoa both defining precisely the same set of taxa; this was later corrected by Werner (1984), in elevating the families Carybdeidae and Chirodropidae to the orders Carybdeida and Chirodropida. However, while the elevation to the class level has been widely adopted, raising the families to orders has gone virtually unnoticed, perhaps because the correction was made in a German-language book chapter, thus being readily unaccessable to many workers and search engines.

The order Chirodropida was recognised by Gershwin (2005a, 2006b) and Gershwin & Alderslade (2006a), to include the families Chirodropidae and Chiropsalmidae. The order is attributed to Haeckel (1880) by the Principle of Coordination.

Diagnosis

Cubozoa with branched pedalia bearing numerous tentacles; with or without gastric
saccules.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [4]

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42

Introduction

The family Chirodropidae was long and widely accepted to encompass all branched-pedalia cubozoans, but was more narrowly redefined by Gershwin (2006a) to exclude the simple-sacculed taxa.

The family currently encompasses several taxa that are quite diverse morphologically, i.e., Chironex, the so-called 'deadly box jellyfish' with cocks-comb-like gastric saccules and leaf-like gonads growing from the top of the septa downward; Chirodropus, with feather-like gastric saccules; and Chirodectes, with filamentous gonads and no gastric saccules. It is possible that as more species become known, this family will be further divided to more accurately express the relationships among these taxa.

Diagnosis

Chirodropida with branched gastric saccules, or lacking gastric saccules; with leaf-like gonads growing from the top of the septa downward, or with filamentous gonads.

History of changes

• Chirodectes Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [17].

  Type species:

   Chiropsalmus maculatus Cornelius et al., 2005 by original designation.

  Secondary source:

   Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [16].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from Great Barrier Reef

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Diagnosis

Chirodropidae without gastric saccules; with large fields of well developed subumbrellar muscle bands spanning the perradial sides; with large fields of gastric cirri lining the interradial sides of the stomach wall; with filamentous gonads.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [17]

History of changes

• Chiropsalmus maculatus Cornelius, P.F.S., Fenner, P.J. & Hore, R. 2005. Chiropsalmus maculatus sp. nov., a cubomedusa from the Great Barrier Reef. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 51(2): 399–405 [401].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM G316989 (2 May 1997, within 5 m of surface), Just inside Outer Barrier Reef, NE Queensland, 43 km off mainland [15°59.050'S, 145°49.294'E].

Generic Combinations

• Chiropsalmus maculatus (Cornelius, Fenner & Hore, 2005).

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, pelagic.

Diagnosis

As for genus.

Notes

The species was described into the genus Chiropsalmus; however, Gershwin (2006a) promptly showed that its combination of unique characters made this an untenable assignment, and created the new genus Chirodectes for it.

History of changes

• Chironex Southcott, R.V. 1956. Studies on Australian cubomedusae, including a new genus and species apparently harmful to man. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7(2): 254–280 [259].

  Type species:

   Chironex fleckeri Southcott, 1956 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-west Pacific

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Diagnosis

Bell very cuboid, lacking exumbrellar nematocysts. Tentacles robust, flat in cross section. Pedalial canal with upward-pointing "thorn" projecting off the bend. Gastric saccules solid, cock's-comb-shaped, covered with functional gonad; lateral gonad reduced.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2007. Personal communication.

History of changes

• Chironex fleckeri Southcott, R.V. 1956. Studies on Australian cubomedusae, including a new genus and species apparently harmful to man. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7(2): 254–280 [259].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA H12♂, Cardwell, QLD.
  Paratype(s) SAMA H16 (immature), Cardwell, QLD; SAMA H13♀; SAMA H19♀, Darwin, NT; SAMA H17 (juvenile), Cardwell, QLD; SAMA H16 (juvenile); SAMA H18 (late juvenile), Cairns, QLD.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland

IMCRA

Northern Shelf Province (25)

Other Regions

Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, estuary, marine, nectonic, pelagic.

Diagnosis

Bell to about 200mm high, lacking exumbrellar nematocysts. Tentacles robust, flat in cross section, up to 15 per pedalium. Pedalial canal with upward-pointing "thorn" projecting off the bend. Gastric saccules solid, cock's-comb-shaped, covered with functional gonad; lateral gonad reduced. Mesenteries cord-like from stomach to rhopalium. Statolith medicine-tablet-shaped, cylindrical with rounded ends.

Sting

Chironex fleckeri has long been considered the 'world's deadliest animal', and is capable of killing an adult human in 2–3 minutes. Similar lethal jellyfishes occur throughout southeast Asia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea; these are probably closely related to C. fleckeri.

History of changes

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Darwin.

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, neritic.

Notes

A form of Chironex, which does not match the description of any other known species, is common in the Darwin region of the Northern Territory. Its identity is still under investigation.

History of changes

• Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [5]

Introduction

Thiel (1936) erected the family Chiropsalmidae to replace the family Chirodropidae based on his opinion that the genus name Chirodropus was invalid. Gershwin (2006b) disagreed about the invalidity of Chirodropus, and resurrected the family Chiropsalmidae in an emended sense.

Two other families have been previously proposed that overlap to some degree with the Chiropsalmidae, both applying to Chiropsoides buitendijki. Krumbach (1925) proposed the family name Drepanochiridae for his newly erected genus Drepanochirus, which was meant to separate Drepanochirus (=Chiropsalmus) buitendijki from the other Chiropsalmus species. Southcott (1956) found the genus name Drepanochirus to be preoccupied for a coleopterid, and thus proposed the genus name Chiropsoides and the corresponding family name Chiropsoididae, once again emphasizing the uniqueness of ‘Chiropsalmus buitendijki’. It may well be that further studies into the morphology and genetics of Chiropsoides buitendijki will prove it worthy of higher level separation, but it seems most conservative to recognize its close relationship to Chiropsalmus (based on the smooth, pendant gastric saccules) in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary.

Diagnosis

Chirodropida with smooth, unbranched, finger-like gastric saccules, lacking filaments.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [5]

General References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42

Krumbach, T. 1925. Scyphozoa. pp. 522-686 in Kukenthal, W. & Krumbach, T. (eds). Handbuch der Zoologie. Berlin : W. de Gruyter Vol. 1.

Southcott, R.V. 1956. Studies on Australian cubomedusae, including a new genus and species apparently harmful to man. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7(2): 254–280

Thiel, M.E. 1936. Scyphomedusae: Cubomedusae. H.G. Bronns Klassen und Ordnungen des Tierreichs 2(2): 173–308

History of changes

• Chiropsalmus Agassiz, L. 1862. Contributions to the Natural History of the United States of America. Second monograph. In five parts — Pt. I Acalephs in general. Pt. II Ctenophore. Pt. III. Discophorae. Pt. IV. Hydroidae. Pt. V. Homologies of the Radiata. Boston, London : Little Brown, Trubner Vol. IV i-viii, 380 pp. + (1-10), pls 20-35. [174].

  Type species:

   Tamoya quadrumana Agassiz, 1862 by original designation.

Distribution

Recorded from "Australia".

Extra Distribution Information

United States of America: Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas; Belize, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

Diagnosis

Chiropsalmidae with nematocyst warts on the exumbrella; with rounded hump in the pedalial canal bend; with finger-shaped, pendant gastric saccules; with well developed lateral gonads; with tentacles narrow in width and round in cross section; lacking mesenteries.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [6]

Misidentifications

Notes on Chiropsalmus quadrigatus:
A very large number of references to C. quadrigatus in Australian waters were listed and discussed by Gershwin (2006a); all were demonstrated to be erroneous identifications and referable to Chiropsella bronzie. As detailed therein, the true ‘quadrigatus’ from Burma has linear-branching pedalia and therefore was assigned therein to the genus Chiropsoides Horst, and the true Chiropsalmus has exumbrellar nematocyst warts and short pendant gastric saccules, and appears to be restricted to north and south American waters on both sides. Neither Chiropsalmus nor quadrigatus have ever been credibly found in Australia.

General References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 (presenting alternative taxonomic arrangement)

History of changes

• Chiropsalmus quadrumanus Müller, F. 1859. Zwei neue Quallen von Santa Catharina. Abhandlungen des Naturforschenden Gessellschaft Halle 5(1): 12 pp., pls I–III [3].

  Type data:

   Neotype MZUSP 493 (22 February 2001, collected by bottom trawl over very muddy bottom, 7–10m, by A.C. Marques), Costão do Carneiro, in front of Enseada beach, Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [7].

Distribution

Recorded from "Australia".

Extra Distribution Information

United States of America: Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas; Belize, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, pelagic.

Diagnosis

Chiropsalmus with exumbrellar nematocyst warts; with up to ten, oppositely-arranged tentacles on each pedalium; with short, hollow, finger-like gastric saccules.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [9]

Notes

Reported in Australia by: Stiasny, 1926b (NT); Edmonds, 1975. The Stiasny specimen from Port Darwin (reg. 4188) could not be located, but is unlikly to be an accurate identification.

Chiropsalmus quadrumanus is an Atlantic species and has not been credibly reported in Australian waters.

General References

Edmonds, C. 1975. Dangerous Marine Animals of the Indo-Pacific Region. Newport, Victoria, Australia : Wedneil Publications.

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [6] (Taxonomic revision)

History of changes

• Chiropsella Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [25].

  Type species:

   Chiropsella bronzie Gershwin, 2006 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Diagnosis

Chiropsalmidae with divided pedalial canal, with each of the two branches giving rise to the fingers of the pedalia in a unilateral fashion, alternate or opposite to those on the other fork; with gastric saccules sessile, solid and unbranched.

History of changes

• Chiropsella bart Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2006. Chiropsella bart, n. sp., a new box jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) from the Northern Territory, Australia. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 22: 15–21 [15].

  Type data:

   Holotype NTM C15252, Town Beach, Nhulunbuy, Gove Peninsula, NT.
  Paratype(s) NTM C14603, Nhulunbuy, Gove Peninsula, NT.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

From eastern Arnhem Land along the Gulf of Carpentaria.

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, nectonic, pelagic.

Extra Ecological Information

Renowned locally for occurring only in the so-called 'safe season' (i.e., the dry season).

Diagnosis

Chiropsella species reaching about 5 cm bell height with up to about 5 tentacles per pedalium; with long scalpel-like pedalia with main tentacles forming a more or less terminal cluster; with volcano-shaped diverticulum on pedalial canal near pedalial base; with coalesced solid, knob-like gastric saccules, appearing as single kidneybean-shaped structure.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. & Alderslade, P. 2006. Chiropsella bart, n. sp., a new box jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) from the Northern Territory, Australia. The Beagle, Records of the Museums and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory 22: 15–21 [16]

History of changes

• Chiropsella bronzie Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [25].

  Type data:

   Holotype MTQ G55274 ♀ (coll. by J.H. Barnes 11 February 1964), Pretty Beach, QLD, Australia.
  Paratype(s) (heaps of paratypes; see original description).

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, estuary, marine, pelagic.

Diagnosis

Chiropsella with 8 conspicuous solid, knob-like gastric saccules in the upper adradii of the subumbrellar cavity; with well-developed lateral gonads spanning the entire interradial septum length; with up to 9 fine, round tentacles per pedalium.

History of changes

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Sydney to northern NSW.

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, neritic.

Notes

A form of Chiropsella, which does not match the description of any other known species, has been found several times in the Sydney region. Its identity is still under investigation.

History of changes

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Onslow region.

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, neritic.

Notes

A form of Chiropsella, which does not match the description of any other known species, has been found in the Ningaloo Reef region of Western Australia. Its identity is still under investigation.

History of changes

• Chiropsoides Southcott, R.V. 1956. Studies on Australian cubomedusae, including a new genus and species apparently harmful to man. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7(2): 254–280 [276].

  Secondary source:

   Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [17] (Taxonomic revision).
• Drepanochirus Krumbach, T. 1925. Scyphozoa. pp. 522-686 in Kukenthal, W. & Krumbach, T. (eds). Handbuch der Zoologie. Berlin : W. de Gruyter Vol. 1. [575] [preoccupied by Coleoptera (see Southcott, 1956)].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Southcott, R.V. 1956. Studies on Australian cubomedusae, including a new genus and species apparently harmful to man. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7(2): 254–280 [276]
• Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [17]

Distribution

Recorded from "Australia".

Extra Distribution Information

Burma (= Myanmar), Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Diagnosis

Chiropsalmidae with unilaterally branching pedalia.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [17]

History of changes

• Chiropsalmus buitendijki Horst, R. 1907. On a new cubomedusa from the Java-Sea: Chiropsalmus buitendijki. Notes from the Leyden Museum 29(2): 101–106, pl. 2 [101].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) RMNH 5234 (P. Buitendijk, 1907; 2 specimens), Reede van Batavia, Java.

Generic Combinations

• Chiropsoides buitendijki (Horst, 1907). —
  Southcott, R.V. 1956. Studies on Australian cubomedusae, including a new genus and species apparently harmful to man. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 7(2): 254–280 [276]

Distribution

Recorded from "Australia".

Extra Distribution Information

Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, pelagic.

Diagnosis

Chiropsoides with 5–9 fingers and tentacles; with long, hollow, finger-shaped gastric saccules; with low, pyramidal diverticulae on the main shafts of the pedalial canals, singly between successive branches.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [19]

Notes

Etymology: Named to honour Mr. P.J. Buitendijk, who found this species and presented the specimens to the Museum

General References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [18] (taxonomic revision)

History of changes

• Chiropsalmus quadrigatus Haeckel, E. 1880. System der Acraspeden. Zweite Halfte des System der Medusen. Jena : G. Fischer. [447].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMUC unnumbered (= Haeckel #166) (coll. by Thallitzer, 18 Nov 1863), Indian Ocean, 10 miles off Rangoon, Burma.

Generic Combinations

• Chiropsoides quadrigatus (Haeckel, 1880). —
  Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Ecological Descriptors

Carnivorous, marine, pelagic.

Diagnosis

Cannot be accurately diagnosed at this time based on immaturity of the holotype.

Diagnosis References

Gershwin, L. 2006. Comments on Chiropsalmus (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida): a preliminary revision of the Chiropsalmidae, with descriptions of two new species. Zootaxa 1231: 1-42 [23]

Notes

The species bears the linear-arranged fingers of the pedalia, as in the later-known Chiropsoides buitendijki; however, there are other morphological differences and geographical separation that make their conspecificity doubtful. More material needs to be collected in a range of sizes of both forms to better determine the relationship.

History of changes