Carukiidae is a family of
box jellyfish
Box jellyfish (class Cubozoa) are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their box-like (i.e. cube-shaped) body. Some species of box jellyfish produce potent venom delivered by contact with their tentacles. Stings from some species, including '' ...
within the
Cubozoa
Box jellyfish (class Cubozoa) are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their box-like (i.e. cube-shaped) body. Some species of box jellyfish produce potent venom delivered by contact with their tentacles. Stings from some species, including ...
class. Carukiidae can be easily classified by their lack of cirri clumps inside the cubozoan stomach, as well as the size and the placement of their
nematocysts.
Carukiidae use nematocysts as a defense mechanism; they releases a venom from the tips of their
nematocysts
A cnidocyte (also known as a cnidoblast or nematocyte) is an explosive cell containing one large secretory organelle called a cnidocyst (also known as a cnida () or nematocyst) that can deliver a sting to other organisms. The presence of this c ...
, producing the
Irukandji syndrome
Irukandji syndrome is a condition that results from envenomation by certain box jellyfish. In rare instances the sting may result in cardiac arrest and death. The most common jellyfish involved is the ''Carukia barnesi'', a species of Irukandji ...
. Even though positions of spines on the shaft of the Carukiidae cause illness, there are areas on the body that do not. The
rhopalial niche openings, which discern light, do not incur any illness. The Carukiidae also have non-venomous rhopaliar horns, which are imperceptive in function and located above the rhopalial niches.
Irukandji syndrome triggered by Carukiidae requires immediate medical attention. In the event that it goes untreated in humans, cardiac arrest is a potentially deadly consequence.
Classification
* ''
Carukia''
** ''
Carukia barnesi
''Carukia barnesi'' is an extremely venomous jellyfish found near Australia. Stings can result in Irukandji syndrome, and this species is commonly known as Irukandji jellyfish, although this name does not distinguish it from other Irukandji jelly ...
''
(Southcott, 1967)
** ''
Carukia shinju''
(Gershwin, 2005)
* ''Gerongia''
** ''
Gerongia rifkinae''
(Gershwin & Alderslade, 2005)
* ''
Malo
Mal, which in Spanish means ''bad or evil'', may also refer to:
Places
* Malo, Italy, a town
*Malo Island, formerly known as St. Bartholomew, Vanuatu
* Malo (Solomon Islands), an island
*Malo, Washington, Ferry County, Washington, United States
* ...
''
** ''
Malo kingi
''Malo kingi'' or the common kingslayer is a species of Irukandji jellyfish. It was first described to science in 2007, and is one of four species in the genus ''Malo''.Gershwin, L. (2007)''Malo kingi'': A new species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnida ...
''
( Gershwin, 2007)
** ''
Malo maxima''
(Gershwin, 2005)[
** '' Malo filipina'' (Bentlage & Lewis, 2012)]
References
*
Carybdeida
Cnidarian families
{{Cubozoa-stub