An anomalous cluster of Irukandji jelly stings (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) at Ningaloo Reef

Gershwin, Lisa‐Ann; Hannay, Peter

doi:10.18195/issn.0312-3162.29(1).2014.078-081

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 3 publications

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“…It is therefore of potentially great importance to fi nd another two new species of cubomedusae believed to cause Irukandji syndrome in Western Australian coastal waters. One, based on a specimen found near Exmouth following a cluster of 23 confi rmed Irukandji stings (Gershwin and Hannay 2014), is similar to undescribed museum specimens from the Montebello Islands. Despite some variation, a conservative approach is taken herein and they are regarded as the same species, described as Malo bella sp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome

Gershwin¹

2014

Rec West Aust Mus

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Irukandji jellies are of increasing interest as their stings are becoming more frequently reported around the world. Previously only two species were known from Western Australia, namely Carukia shinju Gershwin, 2005 and Malo maxima Gershwin, 2005, both from Broome. Two new species believed to cause Irukandji syndrome have recently been found and are described herein. One, Malo bella sp. nov., is from the Ningaloo Reef and Dampier Archipelago regions. It differs from its congeners in its small size at maturity, its statolith shape, irregular warts on the perradial lappets, and a unique combination of other traits outlined herein. This species is not associated with any particular stings, but its phylogenetic affi nity would suggest that it may be highly toxic. The second species, Keesingia gigas gen. et sp. nov., is from the Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef regions. This enormous species is unique in possessing key characters of three families, including crescentic phacellae and broadly winged pedalia (Alatinidae) and deeply incised rhopalial niches and feathery diverticulations on the velarial canals (Carukiidae and Tamoyidae). These two new species bring the total species known or believed to cause Irukandji syndrome to at least 16. Research into the biology and ecology of these species should be considered a high priority, in order to manage their potential impacts on public safety.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome

Gershwin¹

2014

Rec West Aust Mus

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Monitoring visitor injury in protected areas - analysis of incident reporting in two Western Australian parks

Gstaettner

Kobryn

Rodger

et al. 2019

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism

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A new pygmy species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Chirodropida) from sub-tropical Australia

Gershwin

Ekins

2015

Mar. Biodivers. Rec.

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Tropical box jellyfish include some of the world's most venomous animals, leading researchers and the media to wonder whether changes in climate may drive these species into sub-tropical waters. The discovery, therefore, of small box jellyfish in the waterways of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast of south-east Queensland raised concern. This pygmy species proved to be new to science, separated from other species in the genusChiropsellaby its very small size; its semi-circular phacellae; very shallow, coalesced gastric saccules; its peculiar, long pedalia where the ‘palm’ is greatly reduced and the non-opposing ‘fingers’ branch off together at the same level; and a knee-like bend of the pedalial canal. The residential canal/river habitat of this species of chirodropid raises the question of whether this area is also suitable for habitation by the larger, more virulent chirodropids such as the so-called ‘deadly box jellyfish’,Chironex fleckeri. This new species,Chiropsella saxonisp. nov., brings the total number of chirodropid species described from Australian waters to five.

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An anomalous cluster of Irukandji jelly stings (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) at Ningaloo Reef

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome

Two new species of box jellies (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from the central coast of Western Australia, both presumed to cause Irukandji syndrome

Monitoring visitor injury in protected areas - analysis of incident reporting in two Western Australian parks

A new pygmy species of box jellyfish (Cubozoa: Chirodropida) from sub-tropical Australia

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