Bentlage, B.; Lewis, C. (2012). 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.
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
Publication
Available for editors
Box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) have a profound impact on human activities
because of their highly potent venoms that may lead to severe envenomations
in humans. Cubozoa is one of the smallest classes within Cnidaria with only
some 50 described species in seven families. The literature on Cubozoa is scattered
and oftentimes difficult to access. In particular, comprehensive treatments
of Cubozoa that present a comparative overview of the group are either non-existent
or largely outdated. Here we provide a synopsis of the carybdeid Cubozoa
(Carybdeida) including an illustrated key to the families and genera of this order.
Of particular interest is the family Carukiidae, which contains the species that was
originally attributed with causing a severe envenomation syndrome called Irukandji
syndrome. One new species of Carukiidae, Malo filipina sp. nov., is described,
Morbakka virulenta is redescribed and a neotype is designated, and an unidentified
species of Morbakka is recorded from the Philippines.
