Family CHIRODROPIDAE Haeckel, 1880
Compiler and date details
June 2012 - Lisa-ann Gershwin
DRAFT RECORD
This taxon is under review. This record is released now for public view, prior to final verification. For further information or comment email us.
- 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
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-Aug-2013 | MODIFIED |