Irukandji

Carukia barnesi

Barnes' Box Jelly / Irukandji

“ I'd like to be a jellyfish, 'cause jellyfish don't pay rent. ”

– Jimmy Buffett

Information

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Cubozoa

Order: Carybdeida

Family: Carukiidae

Genus: Carukia

Species: Carukia barnesi

Descendant: carukiid

Named by: Southcott

Year Published: 1967

Size: 12 by 30 millimetres (0.47 by 1.18 in) in height; 5 to 50 centimetres (2.0 to 19.7 in) in length

Type: Cnidarians (Box Jellies)

Title: n/a

Pantheon: Terran

Time Period: Holocene

Alignment: Bad

Threat Level: ★★★★★★★★★★

Diet: Carnivorous

Elements: Water

Inflicts: Poison, paralysis

Weaknesses: Fire, electric, earth, arcane

Casualties: ???

Based On: itself

Conservation Status: Not Evaluated

The Barnes's Box Jelly (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.

Etymology

The species was discovered by Jack Barnes of Cairns, Australia.

Physical Appearance

The Barnes's Box Jelly has a square-shaped bell structure and long tentacles that extend out of its base. The tentacles house the nematocysts which are stinging cells. Type I nematocysts (homotrichous microbasic rhopaloids) and Type II (homotrichous haplonemes) nematocysts are both found on the tentacles and bells of the species.

Abilities

Carukia barnesi feeds by stinging its prey through nematocysts and injecting venom. Once the prey is paralyzed and in captivity, muscle cells in the tentacles will aid the jellyfish to bring food closer to its mouth. At the mouth, the food can enter a gastric cavity and be digested

Ecology

The Carukia barnesi is a type of "box jellyfish" that is known for producing potent venom and is known for inflicting the Irukandji syndrome. This highlights the lure-like nematocyst clusters in the water column, which actively attract larval fish that are consequently stung and consumed. This fishing behavior was not observed during dark conditions, presumably to reduce energy expenditure when they are not luring visually oriented prey.


We found that larger medusae have longer tentacles; however, the spacing between the nematocyst clusters is not dependent on size, suggesting that the spacing of the nematocyst clusters is important for prey capture. Additionally, larger specimens twitch their tentacles more frequently than small specimens, which correlate with their recent ontogenetic prey shift from plankton to larval fish. 

Behavior

Carukia barnesi is a motionless animal and can see through its eyes and defend itself with stingers.

Distribution and Habitat

Most reported incidents have been localized to Australia during the warm summer season.


Tamed

Carukia barnesi cannot be tamed.

Lore

Coming soon

Foreign Languages

Trivia