Qiu said DNA analysis has shown that the box jellyfish has different gene markers from other species. No nematocysts were recovered from Jordans body, which made it difficult to nail down a culprit, but its widely assumed that he was stung by Carukia barnesi, a box jellyfish species from the. There were only three records of box jellies in all Chinese waters,' he said. 'Previously, we haven't had any records of box jellies in Hong Kong. Professor Qiu Jianwen, who led the research team, said their discovery is exciting. The researchers have confirmed it is poisonous, but they are not sure how dangerous it might be to humans. Along with its 12 tentacles, it has 24 eyes. The creature is more than 10 centimetres long. The researchers said it is the first box jellyfish to be found in the city's waters and the species has been named Tripedalia maipoensis, after the family it belongs to and Mai Po where it has been found. The area stung should be doused with household vinegar in order to prevent further stings from undischarged stinging cells.A Baptist University-led team on Tuesday said it has discovered a new species of box jellyfish in Hong Kong – and it's venomous. The victim should be removed from further danger when it is safe to do so, and prevented from rubbing and touching the area stung. Should a sting from a box jellyfish occur, assistance should be sought immediately either by calling for a lifesaver, lifeguard or an ambulance. Lycra body suits can help protect against stings. The mesh used in stinger-resistant nets in north Queensland is fine enough to keep out Chironex fleckeri but may allow Irukandji jellyfish to pass through. Carukia barnesi, the first jellyfish shown to cause Irukandji syndrome, has been found from Port Douglas in north Queensland to as far south as the Whitsundays. These jellyfish are found near tropical islands, beaches and the outer reef. Stings from several species of almost transparent jellyfish may produce a reaction known as Irukandji syndrome – a set of symptoms that often includes severe lower back pain, muscle cramps, vomiting, restlessness and anxiety. Irukandji periodically infest North Queensland beaches and reefs and it's sting produces life-threatening illness in its victims. Laboratory photograph of an adult Irukandji jellyfish, Carukia barnesi. Also called bluebottle jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish live mostly in warmer seas. The more dangerous species of box jellyfish are in the warm waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Death occurs rapidly without prompt medical aid. Box jellyfish can cause intense pain and, rarely, life-threatening reactions. Most stings occur in shallow water when the wind is light and the water calm. It is the most venomous marine creature on the planet and in Australia has killed 70 people in the last 120 years. Only a few metres of tentacle, which is almost invisible in the water, is needed to contact a swimmer’s exposed flesh to deliver a dose of venom that could be fatal within minutes. The Chirodropids usually only have stinging cells on their tentacles but most carybdeids have stinging cells on both body and tentacles.Ĭhironex fleckeri can extend its tentacles to more than three metres in length. The venom quickly kills the jellyfish’s prey once injected.Ĭhirodropid jellyfish have multiple tentacles hanging from each of the four corners of their bodies, while carybdeids usually have a single tentacle hanging from each corner. They use potent venom that is injected via a hollow harpoon-like mechanism contained within highly specialized stinging stinging cells. Box jellyfish feed on fish, crustaceans and other marine invertebrates. The size of their bodies (known as bells) varies from about 10 mm diameter to 400 mm.

The Chirodropids include Chironex fleckeri while the Carybdeids include the smaller Irukandji jellyfish. The two main groups of cubozoan jellyfish are chiodropids and carybdeids. They are found near the coast as well as near reefs and islands. In Queensland, they are mainly found in the wet season (November to May) but can be present throughout the year. There are almost 30 species of cubozoan or box jellyfish but the lifecycles of only a few are known. Tropical northern Australian waters are home to a number of harmful jellyfish, including the large multi-tentacled deadly box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri and several species of smaller jellyfish known to cause the debilitating Irukandji syndrome.

Box jellyfish species