Malo (jellyfish)

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Malo
Irukandji-jellyfish-queensland-australia.jpg
Malo kingi
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Cubozoa
Order: Carybdeida
Family: Carukiidae
Genus: Malo
Gershwin, 2005 [1]
Species

Malo kingi, Malo maxima, Carukia Barnesi, Malo Bella, Malo filipina

Contents

Malo is one a genus of box jellies in the family Carybdeida in the Phylum Cnidaria. It has four known species, three of which were described by the Australian marine biologist Lisa-Ann Gershwin. [1] The genus was discovered in 2005. Many of the species are known for their paralytic and deadly affect. [2] Many species in the Malo genus are very small and hard to capture and study. Many species of Malo have been captured on the Western and Eastern cost of Australia. Malo appear to be solidarity jellies.

Etymology

The name Malo is derived by the first two letters of the name of Mark Longhurst, who survived a severe sting by a jellyfish apparently from the genus shortly before the publication of its discovery. The author, Gershwin, also noted the "interesting coincidence that the word “malo” is Spanish for “bad”, as this species is presumed to be capable of lethal envenomation. Gender masculine." [3]

Taxonomy

Stingers Signs in Australia Australia - Marine Stingers (Vinegar depot).jpg
Stingers Signs in Australia

Irukandji Syndrome

The "Irukandji" jellyfish are known for their deadly and fast acting toxins. Irukandji stings are the highest occupational safety hazard for Marine industries in Australia and the Indo-Pacific Ocean. [4] The known "Irukandji" jellies include species: Malo Maxima, Malo Kingi, Carukia shinju , Carybdea xaymacana, Alatina mordens, Gerongia rikinae, and Morbakka fenneri . Malo jellies release venom from the tips of the nematocyst. The venom from a single sting can take 20–60 minutes to induce "Irukandji syndrome". [5] When stung the pain is mild with minor inflammation at the sting location. The symptoms progressively get more severe as time goes. Symptoms include: muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, agitation, vasoconstriction, prostration, hypertension, and severe envenomation, and acute heart failure. [2] [4] The toxins induce modulation of neuronal sodium channels leading to massive release of endogenous catecholamine (dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) and stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Causing membrane leakage of troponin, cerebral edema, priapism, and death in some cases. [2]

Treatment

The only uniform treatment for Irukandji Syndrome is Nitroglycerin; recommended by the Queensland Government Irukandji Taskforce. [6] Nitroglycerin is given to the patient for hypertension associated with the sting. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator to counteract the vasoconstriction from the venom. Nitroglycerin delays and manages the onset of symptoms by slowing down the overdrive of the sympathetic system. The most common Non-uniform treatment consist of heat packs and domestic vinegar. [2] For alleviating localized pain heat applications have shown more promising than ice packs. Domestic vinegar has shown to inactivate undischarged nematocysts. For clinical treatment pain is managed with various analgesic and medication to prevent cardiac failure in severe cases.

Geographic range

Species such as Malo Maxima and Malo Kingi have been found in the Northern and the Western territories of Australia. [2] Malo Filipina and Malo Bella have been found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean waters, mostly off the coast of the Philippines. [2] Reports of other possible locations of the Malo genus of Jellies have been in Hawaii, Florida, Papua New Guinea, French West Indies, Bon Air, and Caribbean. [5] There is an undescribed species of Malo that is indigenous only to the island of Exmouth. [4] One valuable tool to help learn more about the geographic range of harder species to study is eDNA. Edna (environmental DNA) is extra-organismal genetic material that is shed by the organism. The technique uses species-specific DNA identifiers in collected samples to gain insight on rare and mysterious animals. [7] [8] [9]

Anatomy and morphology

The Malo genus of jellies are incredibly small and translucent making identification hard. [2] Malo are in the family Carukiidae and are distinguishable from other box jellies by their size and location of nematocysts. [10] Malo also have a lack of cirri clumps (gastric phacellae) in the stomach. [4] The Malo genus of jellyfish has a cubic medusa bell with a tentacle at each corner. [2] The maximum bell height is 2–5 cm with a taller flat apex. The tentacles are round in cross-section and are very fine. The medusa bell is tall and narrow with an unbranched muscular basa at the corners. The total of four corners of the bell are referred to as pedalium. [2] The pedalial shape is narrow with a knee-shaped canal bend. The Exumbrellar warts are purple freckles.

Malo contain a frown shaped rhopalial niche openings where they are undivided on the upper and lower covering. There are 2 median eyes that are lensed per rhopalium and lack laterals. Laterals are thought to aid in peripheral filtering. It is unknown if Malo has less visual ability or have evolved to no longer need lateral eyes. Malo jellies have rhopaliar horns above the rhopalial niches that are nonvenomous. The horns are broad curved, and short with their function unknown.

The Malo genus are box jellies and are extremely toxic. The nematocysts that release the toxins are segmented on the pedalium. The tentacular nematocysts are often adhered to the skin after they are expelled. The species Malo kingi has mammillation which are a collection of stinging cells on the apex and walls of the bell. [2] [9] [8] [11] [12] [10] [13]

Further research and pharmacology

With climate change there have been an increase in blooms of Irukandji jellies. Further research is being conducted on an anti-venom and medical research. As stings have become more pervasive on the coast of Australia there has been an increase in funding for research. [4] The venom from the species Malo Maxima have been successfully studied in the cardiovascular tissue of rats. [9] The venom puts the sympathetic and nervous system into overdrive. Stimulating the sensory nerve CGRP into the left atria and resistance arteries. [9] Malo Maxima have provided evidence of the biochemical effects of Irukandji venom.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Box jellyfish</span> Class of cnidarians distinguished by their cube-shaped medusae

Box jellyfish are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their box-like body. Some species of box jellyfish produce potent venom delivered by contact with their tentacles. Stings from some species, including Chironex fleckeri, Carukia barnesi, Malo kingi, and a few others, are extremely painful and often fatal to humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irukandji syndrome</span> Medical condition

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 jellyfish. Those stung may experience severe or even excruciating pain.

<i>Chironex fleckeri</i> Species of jellyfish

Chironex fleckeri, commonly known as the Australian box jelly, and nicknamed the sea wasp, is a species of extremely venomous box jellyfish found in coastal waters from northern Australia and New Guinea to Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam. It has been described as "the most lethal jellyfish in the world", with at least 64 known deaths in Australia from 1884 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irukandji jellyfish</span> Species of jellyfish

The Irukandji jellyfish are any of several similar, extremely venomous species of rare jellyfish. With a very small adult size of about a cubic centimetre, they are both the smallest and one of the most venomous jellyfish in the world. They inhabit the northern marine waters of Australia, and cost the Australian government $AUD 3 billion annually through medical costs associated with stings and tourism losses. This type of jellyfish reproduces sexually with eggs and sperm. They fire their stingers into their victim, causing a condition known in humans as Irukandji syndrome, which can be fatal and difficult to immediately recognise due to the delayed effects of the venom. There are about 16 known species of Irukandji, of which Carukia barnesi, Malo kingi, Malo maxima, Malo filipina and Malo bella are the best known.

<i>Carybdea</i> Genus of jellyfishes

Carybdea is a genus of venomous box jellyfish within the family Carybdeidae that currently consists of a total of 8 species. This genus of jellyfish are often found in warm waters around the world in waters such as the Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and off the coast of Africa. Their sting can cause a range of effects depending on the species. These invertebrates will go through both sexual and asexual reproduction as they transform from a polyp to medusa. Carybdea have a box-shaped bell with four tentacles and eye-like sensory structures. There are distinct physical markings that differentiate many species within the genus. While Carybdea use their venom to act as predators, they are also preyed on by turtles and various fish. They feed on plankton, invertebrates, fish, and some crustaceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chirodropidae</span> Family of jellyfishes

Chirodropidae is a family of venomous box jellyfish within the class Cubozoa. Like other members of the order Chirodropida, they have branched pedalia, in contrast to the unbranched pedalia of box jellyfish in the order Carybdeida. Each branch houses its own individual tentacle. Nematocyst composition and type can vary among individuals within this family based on body size and life stage. Like other box jellyfish, chirodropids can be found in coastal and shallow marine areas, but they have also been found to occur at benthic depths.

<i>Alatina alata</i> Species of jellyfish

Alatina alata(Reynaud, 1830), often called a sea wasp, is a species of box jellyfish found in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans and in the Caribbean and Arabian Sea.

<i>Malo kingi</i> Species of jellyfish

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. It has one of the world's most potent venoms, even though it is no bigger than a human thumbnail. As an Irukandji, it can cause Irukandji syndrome, characterized by severe pain, vomiting, and rapid rise in blood pressure.

<i>Carukia barnesi</i> Species of jellyfish

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 jellyfish such as Malo kingi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alatinidae</span> Family of jellyfishes

Alatinidae is a family of box jellyfish within class Cubozoa, containing the following genera and species:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carukiidae</span> Family of jellyfishes

Carukiidae is a family of box jellyfish within the Cubozoa 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.

Malo maxima is a small, and extremely dangerous Irukandji Jellyfish that is known to cause Irukandji Syndrome. It is one of the four species of Malo, along with Malo bella, Malo filipina, and Malo kingi. The Malo maxima was first described in 2005 by Lisa-ann Gershwin, who also described the Malo bella and Malo kingi jellyfish along with over 200 other species of jellyfish. Malo maxima differs from other species of jellyfish in many ways but the most confusing one is that they swim more like fish than jellyfish, however the reason for this is still unknown.

Lisa-ann Gershwin, also known as Lisa Gershwin, is a biologist based in Launceston, Tasmania, who has described over 200 species of jellyfish, and written and co-authored several non-fiction books about Cnidaria including Stung! (2013) and Jellyfish – A Natural History (2016). She provides independent advice related to jellyfish worldwide to the media, online and via The Jellyfish App. She was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2021 Tasmanian state election running as an independent in the electorate of Clark.

Malo filipina is a small and venomous Irukandji jellyfish found in the Philippines. It was first described to science in 2012, and is one of four species in genus Malo, often confused in the past with the M. maxima.

John Handyside (Jack) Barnes MBE (1922–1985) was a physician and toxinologist in Queensland, Australia. Born in Charleville he is known for his research on the box jellyfish.

<i>Chiropsoides</i> Genus of jellyfishes

Chiropsoides is a genus of box jellyfish in the family Chiropsalmidae. It is monotypic, with a single species, Chiropsoides buitendijki. The most distinct species characteristics are the shape of the gastric saccules, the pedalial canals, and the unilateral pedalial branching.

Carukia shinju is a small and venomous jellyfish found off the waters of northwestern Australia. Specifically, located offshore of the coasts of Australian states including Queensland, The Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.

<i>Morbakka virulenta</i> Species of jellyfish

Morbakka virulenta is a species of box jellyfish that is found in waters near the islands of Japan. The species was originally described in the genus Tamoya by Kamakichi Kishinouye in 1910. However, unlike other species of that genus, this jellyfish did not have the vertical gastric phacellae which protect the inside of the bell with nematocyst warts. As a result, it was reclassified to the genus Morbakka due to its distinctively shaped rhopaliar horns which resemble rabbit ears. Because of its painful stings, M. virulenta has been nicknamed Hikurage, which is “fire jellyfish” in Japanese.

Chiropsella bronzie is a species of box jellyfish. It is considered much less of a threat to humans than some of its relatives. The species was described in 2006, and is one of four species in the genus Chiropsella. Chiropsella bronzie can be found in shallow waters off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

<i>Tamoya haplonema</i> Species of box jellyfish

Tamoya haplonema is a species of box jellyfish in the genus Tamoya. It is the type species of the genus and was described in 1859. The medusa possesses four tentacles, one each on an inter-radial pedal.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Allen G. Collins (2010). "Malo". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Tibballs, James; Li, Ran; Tibballs, Heath A.; Gershwin, Lisa-Ann; Winkel, Ken D. (2012-05-01). "Australian carybdeid jellyfish causing "Irukandji syndrome"". Toxicon. 59 (6): 617–625. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.01.006. ISSN   0041-0101. PMID   22361384.
  3. ↑ Gershwin, Lisa-Ann (2005-12-31). "Two new species of jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from tropical Western Australia, presumed to cause Irukandji Syndrome". Zootaxa. 1084: 1–30. doi:10.5281/zenodo.170452.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Gershwin, Lisa-ann; Richardson, Anthony J.; Winkel, Kenneth D.; Fenner, Peter J.; Lippmann, John; Hore, Russell; Avila-Soria, Griselda; Brewer, David; Kloser, Rudy J. (2013-01-01), Lesser, Michael (ed.), "Chapter One - Biology and Ecology of Irukandji Jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa)", Advances in Marine Biology, 66, Academic Press: 1–85, doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-408096-6.00001-8, PMID   24182899 , retrieved 2023-03-17
  5. 1 2 Little, M.; Pereira, P.; Carrette, T.; Seymour, J. (2006). "Jellyfish responsible for Irukandji syndrome". QJM. 99 (6): 425–427. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hcl057 . PMID   16687419.
  6. ↑ Kong, Erwin L.; Nappe, Thomas M. (2023), "Irukandji Syndrome", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID   32965935 , retrieved 2023-03-29
  7. ↑ Bentlage, Bastian; Cartwright, Paulyn; Yanagihara, Angel A.; Lewis, Cheryl; Richards, Gemma S.; Collins, Allen G. (2010). "Evolution of Box Jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa), a Group of Highly Toxic Invertebrates". Proceedings: Biological Sciences. 277 (1680): 493–501. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.1707. ISSN   0962-8452. JSTOR   40506145. PMC   2842657 . PMID   19923131.
  8. 1 2 Morrissey, Scott J.; Jerry, Dean R.; Kingsford, Michael J. (19 December 2022). "Genetic Detection and a Method to Study the Ecology of Deadly Cubozoan Jellyfish". Diversity. 14 (12): 1139. doi: 10.3390/d14121139 . ISSN   1424-2818.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Li, Ran; Wright, Christine E.; Winkel, Kenneth D.; Gershwin, Lisa-Ann; Angus, James A. (2011-03-25). "The pharmacology of Malo maxima jellyfish venom extract in isolated cardiovascular tissues: A probable cause of the Irukandji syndrome in Western Australia". Toxicology Letters. 201 (3): 221–229. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.01.003. ISSN   0378-4274. PMID   21237252.
  10. 1 2 Advances in marine biology. Volume 66. Michael Lesser. Amsterdam. 2013. ISBN   978-0-12-407903-8. OCLC   868900762.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  11. ↑ Coates, M. M. (2003). "Visual Ecology and Functional Morphology of Cubozoa (Cnidaria)". Integrative and Comparative Biology. 43 (4): 542–548. doi: 10.1093/icb/43.4.542 . PMID   21680462.
  12. ↑ Bentlage, Bastian; Lewis, Cheryl (2012-11-01). "An illustrated key and synopsis of the families and genera of carybdeid box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida), with emphasis on the "Irukandji family" (Carukiidae)". Journal of Natural History. 46 (41–42): 2595–2620. Bibcode:2012JNatH..46.2595B. doi:10.1080/00222933.2012.717645. ISSN   0022-2933. S2CID   85427177.
  13. ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Carukiidae Bentlage, Cartwright, Yanagihara, Lewis, Richards & Collins, 2010". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
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