CUBOZOA (BOX JELLYFISH)

Cubozoans are also known as box jellyfish, because in transverse section the
bells appear to be square. Tentacles are located at the corners of the square
umbrella margin, and the base of each tentacle is distinctively flattened. The
edge of the umbrella turns inward to form a rim called a velarium, much like
the velum of hydromedusae.
Cubozoans are considered by some to be a subclass of Scyphozoa. Effective
predators and strong swimmers, they feed mostly on fish. Their nematocysts
are especially potent, sometimes resulting in the death of unfortunate
human swimmers who encounter them.
Cubozoa or box jellies are one of the four groups of Cnidaria. They are named
after their cube shape with four flattened sides. Most of the about 20 species
are found in tropical oceans and seas and are fast, strong and agile
swimmers. This swimming ability is due to the velarium, a flap under the
umbrella which concentrates and increases the flow of water pushed out
from the umbrella. They have four complex eyes that allow them to track
moving objects and quickly respond to changes in light intensity.
A flap of tissue called the velarium is located along the underside of the bell.
Muscular fleshy pads called pedalia are located at the corners of the bell.
One or more tentacles are connected to each pedalium. On the bell, located
midway between the pedalia, are four sensory structures called rhopalia.
Box jellies eat zooplankton, fish, worms, and crustaceans. When the
tentacles, which can stretch to ten or more times the height of the bell, come
into contact with prey, nematocysts, concentrated in rings on the tentacles,
fire into the prey's skin. Tiny barbs of the nematocysts hold onto and transfer
venom to the prey. As the prey is immobilized by the venom, the tentacle
contracts and pulls the prey near to the bell.
Cubozoans are eaten by large fish and sea turtles.
Taxonomy
At least 36 species of box jellyfish were known as of 2007. These are grouped
into two orders and seven families. A few new species have since been
described, and it is likely that undescribed species remain.

Class Cubozoa

Order Carybdeida
o Family Alatinidae
o Family Carukiidae
o Family Carybdeidae
o Family Tamoyidae
o Family Tripedaliidae

Order Chirodropida
o Family Chirodropidae
o Family Chiropsalmidae

Chiropsalmus Agassiz, 1862

Chiropsella Gershwin, 2006

Chiropsoides Southcott, 1956

Characteristics
Class Cubozoa includes jellies that have a box-shaped medusa: a bell that is
square in cross-section; hence, they are colloquially known as "box jellyfish."
These species may achieve sizes of 1525 cm. Cubozoans display overall
morphological and anatomical characteristics that are similar to those of
the scyphozoans.
Distribution
Although the notoriously dangerous species of box jellyfish are largely
restricted to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, various species of box jellyfish
can be found widely in tropical and subtropical oceans, including the Atlantic
Ocean and the east Pacific Ocean, with species as far north as California, the
Mediterranean Sea (for example, Carybdea marsupialis) and Japan (such as
Chironex yamaguchii), and as far south as South Africa (for example,
Carybdea branchi)[11] and New Zealand (such as Copula sivickisi).

Box Jellyfish Habitat and Distribution

The Tropical Indo Pacific region is where you will find the Box Jellyfish.
However, there are species found in locations all over the world. Along the
oceans of Japan and California are very common too. In the South the Box
Jellyfish has been found residing in the ocean waters of New Zealand.
There are large species found in Australia though that have been known to
bite humans. There are some deaths in that area that have occurred due to
such stings. There has been a huge increase in the number of Box Jellyfish
that are found in Australia. It is believed that this is due to the climate
changes as well as the depletion of fish in that area. Since fish are a common
predator of the Box Jellyfish more of them are able to reach maturity and
reproduce.
Reproduction Process
Cubozoans can reproduce sexually. The male puts his tentacles into the bell
of the female and passes over packets of sperm. Fertilization takes place
inside the females. In some species the fertilized eggs are released into the
water column where they develop into larvae (planula), while in other
species development into larvae occurs inside the female Box jelly polyps
can also reproduce asexually by budding to form new polyps.
Among the box jellies is the Australian sea wasp of (Chironex fleckeri), its
sting has caused the deaths of over 60 people since the first report in 1883.
Box Jellyfish Reproduction
Box Jellyfish have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. They
are either male or female based on their DNA profile. However, they have the
ability to offer both eggs and sperm independently. Once the eggs have been
offered then sperm mixes with them to create larvae.
This stage can take a long time, even more than a year. The polyps will
continue to grow and to branch out. There can be hundreds of them
connected through very thin feeding tubes. As food supplies come along
then the nutrients are distributed to all of the polyps through those feeding
tubes.
Over time the polyps will start to breach off from each other. This is when
there will be the actual Box Jelly fish. Before it can breach off though a mouth

has to form, eyes form, and more tentacles form so that it will be able to
swim away and care for itself. The average life span in the wild is less than 1
year.

Anatomy of box jelly fish

There are significant physical differences for the Box Jellyfish than other
species. Instead of looking like a dome they tend to look more like an
umbrella. This design allows them to be able to move with ease. They can
move faster and with more control than any other species of Jellyfish in the
world.
They have a nervous system that is more sophisticated than any other
species. They have a nerve base that coordinates their movements. There is
only one other species of Jellyfish in the world that has this complex design.
They are also one of the few species of Jellyfish that have eyes. They are in
clusters on all sides of the body and have 24 of them. They are able to
distinguish between light and dark. They are also able to identify various
type of light too. Their eyes make it possible for them to find prey and to
escape predators.
Economic/Ecological uses of Cnidarian

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

There is no known human benefit from this species except that it serves to
be an interesting research specimen because of the symptoms it causes
when a person is stung.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Usually about 30 minutes after a person is stung by C. barnesi the victim
begins to experience the following symptoms: a severe back or headache,
shooting pain throughout the muscles in their chest and abdomen, nausea,
anxiety, restlessness, and sometimes vomiting. Occasionally fluid may fill the
lungs, which if not treated could be fatal. These symptoms can last from
hours to days and requires hospitalization. No conclusive information has
been obtained regarding the contents of the venom, but it might contain a
neurotoxin that is a neural Na+ channel activator. No antivenom has yet
been developed for this species.