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Stinging
jellyfish in tropical Australia
With few
exceptions, jellyfish that cause debilitating or fatal stings
in humans are cubozoan or box jellyfish which were named for
their box-shaped bodies. Box jellyfish can be found in most
tropical waters around the world. In Australia, they are found
in tropical waters predominantly in the wet season (November
to May) but can be present throughout the year.....
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| Classifying
box jellyfish
Jellyfish
with box-shaped bodies or bells are called cubozoan jellyfish....... |
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The
sting
The box jellyfish
Chironex fleckeri are the most venomous creatures on
the planet...... |
| Chirodropid
jellyfish
Chirodropid
jellyfish have multiple tentacles hanging from each corner.........
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Irukandji
syndrome
In 2002, stings
from Irukandji jellyfish killed two people - one man .......
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| Carybdeid
jellyfish
Carybdeid jellyfish
usually only have a single tentacle hanging from each corner
of their box-shaped bodies....... |
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Preventing
the sting
Swim in
supervised areas such as a beach where Surf Life Saving Queensland
Lifesavers monitor the ..... |
| Distribution
& abundance
Box jellyfish
can be found in most tropical seas around the world.......
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Future
research
There is
still much to be done to better understand box jellyfish......
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| Life
cycle
There are
almost 30 species of cubozoan or box jellyfish but the life
cycle of only a few are known..... |
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First
aid
1. Call
for assistance. See a lifesaver or lifeguard or ring
000 and ask for ambulance. |
| Vision
& Movement
Unlike many
jellyfish, the box jellyfish Chironex fleckeri is
a fast and agile swimmer..... |
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Other
stinging jellyfish
All jellyfish
have stinging cells and several other jellyfish in Australian
waters...... |
| Feeding
& venom
Box jellyfish
feed on fish, crustaceans and other marine invertebrates.
They use potent venom to.... |
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Bluebottles
and Pacific man-o-war
Physalia
species cause stings that are similar to those from jellyfish
although ..... |
| This brochure was written by Louise Goggin (CRC Reef),
Lisa-ann Gershwin (AIMS and James Cook University), Peter
Fenner (MD), Jamie Seymour, (James Cook University) and Teresa
Carrette (James Cook University). |
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