#cubazoa

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Common Kingslayer (Malo kingi)

...a species of Irukandji jellyfish that inhabits the waters off of Australia. This species gets its name after one of its victims who was named Robert King, a tourist who was stung and killed. Like other cubozoans this species is very small with a bell no larger than a cubic centimeter. The common kingslayer uses its long and highly venomous tentacles, which can measure around 3ft long, to catch prey which usually consists of fast swimming fish.

M.kingi's venom is highly potent and causes Irukandji syndrome which will cause severe pain, vomiting and rapid rise in blood pressure in humans.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Cnidaria-Cubozoa-Carybdeida-Tamoyidae-Malo-M.kingi

Image: GondwanaGirl

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Jellyfish eyes

more than just water and goo

Most people think of jellyfish as primitive floating balls of jelly and water that aren't good at anything but stinging people. And while it is true that most jellyfish aren't exactly "advanced" as far as animals go one class of jellies takes it to the next level. Box Jellies or Sea Wasps are cnidarians of the class cubozoa. Named after their umbrella shaped medusae these small jellies are the one of the most venomous animals in the world. They are also the most developed as they sport a nerve ring and 24 sets of eyes which are located at the base of the bell. Most of these eyes do simple tasks like distinguished between light and dark. But amazingly they also have eight pairs of highly developed, almost human like, eyes which can detect the size and color of different objects. With these eyes the jellyfish can not only navigate its ocean environment with ease but it can also detect and avoid different obstacles. 

Image Source

read more