Jellyfish toxins from the Irukandji group are effective. The most poisonous jellyfish in the world
- translucent gelatinous inhabitants of the sea. Some people admire them, while others are afraid of them. And, by the way, there is a reason for it. Some of the jellyfish are very dangerous, and close contact with them can lead to very sad consequences.
One such dangerous jellyfish is the tiny Irukandji jellyfish. It is no larger than a fingernail, but its poison can kill an adult in literally 20-30 minutes. It is not always possible to save a person.
The first time we heard about this “miniature killer” was in 1952, when academician Hugo Flecker became interested in one strange, in his opinion, pattern. Fishermen of one Australian tribe - the Irukandji - upon returning to shore, often fell ill with a very strange disease, which was accompanied by terrible pain in the lower back and stomach, severe vomiting and profuse sweating. The academician assumed that the reason lay in some inconspicuous sea creature, presumably a jellyfish, but it was not possible to detect it. And only 14 years later the solution was found.
This merit belongs to the Australian doctor Jack Barnes. For several days in a row, he tirelessly explored the seabed in the area where the Aborigines fish and discovered what he was looking for. A miniature transparent whitish jellyfish with 4 almost invisible tentacles, the length of which, despite its tiny dimensions - 12 mm by 25 mm - could vary from a couple of millimeters to 1 meter.
But finding is only part of the story. We still need to prove the correctness of our assumptions and describe the syndrome of poisoning with this poison. To do this, he chose not the best, but perhaps the only possible method at that time - the doctor stung himself, his adult son and one of the team members. All three soon ended up in the hospital, in the intensive care unit. They were saved.
As a result, this tiny jellyfish received 2 names: the first in honor of this Australian tribe (Irukandji jellyfish), and the second in honor of Dr. Barnes (Carukia barnesi).
Jack Barnes managed to reliably describe all the departure syndromes. This is a severe headache, acute pain in the abdomen and pelvis, in the lower back, severe muscle pain, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, tachycardia, hypertension and pulmonary edema. The burn site is pierced by severe pain, which can only be reduced by administering morphine. Here is a possible “set of sensations” (Irukandji syndrome) awaiting an unprotected diver in the northern part of the underwater kingdom of the Great Barrier Reef. In some cases it can be fatal.
This happened in 2002 with two tourists - a 58-year-old Englishman and a 44-year-old American. Despite all the efforts of doctors, they could not be saved. An antidote for the poison of these tiny jellyfish has not yet been created.
Imagine that animals that have no brain and are 95% water can easily kill a person. Yes, it really is as scary as it sounds. The fact is that most of them have special nematocyst cells that release toxins faster than a bullet from the most powerful gun in the world. Therefore, we want to tell you about the most dangerous jellyfish in the world known to man.
1. Sea nettle (Chrysaora). This jellyfish is common in North America. Many of these jellyfish form into a huge flower. Each of them has 24 tentacles up to two meters long. They contain the main weapon of sea nettles - stinging cells.
2. Hairy cyanea (Cyanea capillata) can reach up to 2.5 meters in diameter. The tentacles of this animal stretch for 30 meters or more. The sea monster itself can weigh about 250 kilograms! The hairy cyanea likes to gather in large flocks, and its bite can easily kill a person.
3. Portuguese Man of War (Physalia physalis)- this is not a jellyfish, but a colony of organisms that are inside the bubble. The Portuguese man-of-war is found in all the world's oceans, and its bite is very painful. The pain can even last up to several days, and after this the victim will experience fever, disturbances in the functioning of the heart and lungs, and shock.
4. Irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi) very small, but its poison is incredibly dangerous for humans. Among all the animals that live on Earth, its poison is the most powerful. The bite itself does not cause excruciating pain to a person, but its consequences are terrifying. The victim will experience pain in the back and kidneys, burning of the skin, vomiting, tachycardia and shock.
5. Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri)- the most poisonous jellyfish in Australia. This is one of the deadliest creatures on the planet. Every year, such jellyfish kill more than 100 people worldwide. Each of the 15 ten-meter tentacles is covered with billions of stinging cells. Scientists say that one such animal can kill 60 people at the same time.
6. Cross jellyfish (Gonionemus vertens). This creature lives in the waters of the Pacific Ocean from China to California. It is easy to recognize, since the brown-red cross located inside is clearly visible through the transparent body. The sting of this jellyfish will not necessarily result in death, but is very painful. And if you are stung again by a cross jellyfish, the consequences can be fatal.
7. Nomura jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai)- This is one of the largest jellyfish in the world. It can reach several meters in diameter. Because of its long yellow tentacles and hairs, it is also called lion's mane. They mainly sting fishermen who are in the open ocean.
8. Cornermouth Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) found in the Azov and Black Seas. Their bite can cause not only burning and redness of the skin. The bite of the cornet jellyfish is dangerous due to severe poisoning and failure of some internal organs.
9. Flower cap jellyfish (Olindias formosa)- This is a very beautiful, but not harmless creature. It is small, and its tentacles do not exceed seven centimeters. A person should absolutely not touch it, since touching the tentacles can lead to severe burns. And the toxins that are released as a result of a bite can cause poisoning, shock and respiratory arrest.
First aid for a jellyfish sting. If you feel that you have been bitten by a jellyfish, do not panic, but quickly get out of the water. If a jellyfish is “stuck” to you, try to unhook it, but not with your bare hands. Wash the burn area with vinegar or lemon juice and consult a doctor.
When going on a trip to the sea, do not forget about the deadly inhabitants of the seas, in particular we will talk about killer jellyfish.
To underestimate these living creatures means exposing yourself to mortal risk, because the venom of killer jellyfish is considered one of the deadliest in the world.
Australian sea wasp
The jellyfish, called the sea wasp, is considered especially dangerous. Having the size of a salad bowl, the number of its tentacles reaches 60, each 4 meters long. Each tentacle contains up to 5,000 stinging cells with toxins capable of killing 60 people.
Due to its transparency, the sea wasp becomes practically invisible in the water, which poses an even greater danger to humans. Of course, you shouldn’t think that a sea wasp preys on a person, but when it encounters a person in the water, the reaction will be similar to that of the crustaceans and small fish that it eats - a poisonous, painful burn that is fatal to a person.
Even without swimming to the depths, the risk of encountering this monster is very high. So a girl who was walking on the water and was 10 meters from the shore was stung in the leg and died literally a minute later. Experienced people will never swim in the sea on a calm and cloudless day; they know that the tide carries jellyfish to the shore.
Jellyfish venom causes widespread infection of the body The site of contact first turns red, then swells, the person experiences excruciating pain, the body temperature rises sharply and the person dies from paralysis of the respiratory center or from heart failure. Portuguese Man of War Jellyfish The jellyfish is less poisonous than the sea wasp, but no less dangerous. The venom of the Portuguese Man of War is similar to that of the cobra. The contact causes a sharp pain comparable to an electric shock or a strong blow from a whip. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, chills, and muscle twitching are also typical.
Portuguese Man of War Jellyfish
Precautionary measures
- After a storm, it is not recommended to enter the water; there may be fragments of tentacles in the water.
- As a rule, in a calm state, a jellyfish tries to hold its tentacles, so go around it as much as possible along the maximum radius.
- If you are still stung by a jellyfish, do not rub the skin or rinse the area of contact with fresh water, which will only activate the poisonous effect. It should be remembered that only salt water should be used to wash the wound.
- Washing with vinegar, ammonia, and alcohol will also help reduce pain.
- If there are tentacles left on the skin, you should remove them, but under no circumstances should this be done with bare hands. Wrap your hand in a towel or sprinkle sand on the tentacle, then scrape it off with a knife or whatever object is handy.
- Take the victim to a medical facility as quickly as possible.
- There really is an antidote for a sea wasp sting, it is quite effective and acts very quickly, in this case the most important thing is to get the victim to a medical facility in time.
Interesting facts: The leaf climber is terrible P S The most powerful poison in the world is possessed by a frog called the terrible leaf climber.
creepy leaf climber
Only 5 centimeters in length, but its venom is 35 times stronger than that of a cobra and 1000 times stronger than potassium cyanide, and it can kill 1500 people.
And the worst thing is that there is no antidote for it. True, it is believed that if the integrity of the skin is not broken, then the poison is not dangerous, but the smallest scratch allows the poison to enter the blood, which causes the death of a person as a result of cardiac arrest.
Reply from +[guru]
Killer jellyfish
A new species of jellyfish has been discovered off the east coast of Australia. Their peculiarity lies in their belonging to the class of so-called cubic jellyfish, which in turn are related to another sea killer - the sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri). Even sharks and poisonous snakes cannot compare with the deadly effects of these marine inhabitants. To top it all off, jellyfish are excellent swimmers and can reach decent speeds that are inaccessible to the known species of their fellows.
The jellyfish have four tentacles and a poisonous umbrella, and their size allows them to easily pass through the protective “shark” nets installed on many Australian beaches. So far, the appearance of a new species of jellyfish off the coast is an extremely rare occurrence and there have been no recorded cases of mass bites of people. However, oceanologists are sounding the alarm and warning about the danger that these inhabitants of the deep sea pose for vacationers and tourists and are trying to study the new species as soon as possible.
Jellyfish sting
The killer jellyfish Carukia barnesi, which has a deadly sting, is actually tiny - its dome is only 12 millimeters long. However, it is this animal that is responsible for the occurrence of Irukandji syndrome, which killed two tourists in Australia in 2002. It all starts with a mosquito-like bite. Within an hour, victims experience severe pain in the lower back, shooting all over the body, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, sweating profusely and coughing. The consequences are extremely serious: from paralysis to death, cerebral hemorrhage or cardiac arrest.
and here's another
There is an unprecedented invasion of giant poisonous jellyfish off the coast of Japan. They reach more than a meter in diameter and weigh up to 150 kilograms. The last time jellyfish of this size were seen in Japan was more than half a century ago. Local fishermen are in panic - the poison of these sea monsters is extremely dangerous for humans. If a giant jellyfish gets caught in a net, fishermen have to throw away most of their catch because the fish is poisoned by a toxin.
Answer from User deleted[newbie]
of course
Answer from ELENA A-NA[guru]
The most poisonous jellyfish in the world is the Australian sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri). After touching its tentacles, a person dies within 1-3 minutes. if medical help does not arrive. The diameter of its dome is only 12 cm, but the tentacles are 7-8 m long. The venom of the sea wasp is similar in its effect to the venom of a cobra and paralyzes the heart muscle. On the coast of Queensland in Australia, more than 70 people have become victims of this jellyfish since 1880.
One effective means of protection is women's tights, which were once used by lifeguards at a surfing competition in Queensland, Australia.
The killer jellyfish Carukia barnesi, which has a deadly sting, is actually tiny - its dome is only 12 millimeters long. However, it is this animal that is responsible for the occurrence of Irukandji syndrome, which killed two tourists in Australia in 2002. It all starts with a mosquito-like bite. Within an hour, victims experience severe pain in the lower back, shooting all over the body, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, sweating profusely and coughing. The consequences are extremely serious: from paralysis to death, cerebral hemorrhage or cardiac arrest.
Since September, thousands of giant jellyfish measuring more than a meter and weighing about 100 kilograms have been observed off the coast of Echizen (Fukui Prefecture). They can reach a length of up to 5 meters, have poisonous tentacles, but are not fatal to humans. Their migration to the Sea of Japan is associated with an increase in water temperature. Fishermen complain that the jellyfish reduce their income by killing or stunning fish and shrimp caught in their nets. The species, known as Stomolophus nomurai, was discovered in the East China Sea. The fact that representatives of this species have appeared from time to time in the Sea of Japan between Japan and the Korean Peninsula since 1920 is associated with an increase in water temperatures, they say. Jellyfish, which can reach a length of up to 5 meters, have poisonous tentacles, but are not fatal to humans. »
These animals are 95% water, they have no brain and eat and defecate from the same canal, but jellyfish are equipped with surprisingly complex and effective weapons. Most species have stinging cells called nematocysts (cnidocysts). Before these cells release their sting, the internal pressure reaches up to a frightening 2000 psi (136 atmospheres) after which they crack, releasing their toxin like a harpoon. This is one of the fastest movements in nature and even faster than a bullet.
Although they have evolved to attack small fish, the sting of a jellyfish also plays a defensive role. Depending on the sting, toxicity to humans ranges from mild irritation to a potentially fatal condition where death can occur within minutes.
So, after much research and without further ado, we present to you the most dangerous jellyfish known to man.
5. Sea Nettle (Chrysaora)
Photo. sea nettle
Sea nettles are found along both coasts of North America. They appear to be most often seen near the Chesapeake Bay. Here they join together and form huge flowers (the technical term for a variety of jellyfish) that pose a threat to swimmers during the summer months.
Large jellyfish reach up to 30 cm (1 ft) in diameter. They have 24 tentacles that reach over 2m (6ft) in length and are where the infamous stinging cells are found.
Touching sea nettle can be extremely painful and will leave a painful rash on the skin for about an hour. They are not dangerous at all, although medical attention is very rarely necessary. There are reports that the bites of the more exotic Chrysaora species are more severe.
4.Cyanea capillata
Photo. Hairy cyanea
The hairy cyanea is the largest species of jellyfish known to man. In diameter it can reach up to 2.5 m (8 ft) or more, and with tentacles stretching over 30 m (100 ft), these jelly monsters can weigh about a quarter of a ton. They also gather in large flocks, which means their convergence on your local beach could seriously disrupt your holiday.
Hairy cyanea is a cold-water species and can be found throughout the North Atlantic, including the UK. It may also be found in cold Australian waters, where some lifeguards allegedly wear tights to provide partial protection from bites.
The bite itself can be quite painful and many sources (including National Geographic) describe it as potentially fatal. It is known that, like most jellyfish, the sting remains active for a long time after the death of the jellyfish itself. In a recent incident on a beach in New Hampshire, USA, cyanea was cut by screws and individual tentacles reportedly stung 150 people.
3. Portuguese Man of War (Physalia physalis)
Photo. Portuguese man of war
To be honest, the Portuguese man-of-war or dung fly (physalia) is not a jellyfish. In fact, it is not even one animal. It is a colony of organisms working together in peace and harmony. The name comes from the air filling the bubble, which acts as a sail and a sail, and in the 17th century it reminded people of naval vessels, which is when it was called a warship.
In Australia it is called blue bottle because it is blue.
The ship is found in all of the world's oceans and has even been spotted as far north as Scotland, largely due to the warm Gulf Stream current.
The bite of the Portuguese man-of-war is very painful, with about 10,000 bites occurring annually in Australia alone. The bite itself is characterized by a painful sensation, as if you were hit with a whip on the skin. This can last from one hour to several days. The main risk is the systemic effects of the poison. In severe cases, intense pain is followed by fever, shock and impaired heart and lung function, which can lead to death.
In August 2018, dozens of jellyfish were spotted on the beaches of the Indian city of Mumbai and stung more than 100 people on the beaches of Juhu and Aksa, causing panic and fear among people. The poisonous sting of the Portuguese man-of-war can kill fish, but not people. Some shopkeepers tried to help victims by rubbing lemon on the affected area for immediate relief. “You should pour a small amount of vinegar and hot water on the affected part,” State Fisheries Commissioner Arun Vidhale had said then.
2. Irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi)
Photo. Irukandji jellyfish
Irukandji jellyfish are small in size, which is perfectly compensated by the strength of their poison. It got its name from the Irukandji, a tribe in Northern Australia where these jellyfish were first seen. However, this jellyfish is very widespread and can be found very far away, even in the British Isles.
At just 5 mm (0.2 ins) in diameter and with tentacles less than 1 mm, it is one of the smallest members of the order box jellyfish. The venom is insanely strong and is considered the most poisonous animal on earth, more than 100 times stronger than that of a cobra. In addition to this, the Irukandji jellyfish is unique in the structure of its stinging cells as well as its tentacles.
The only reason this animal is not at the top of the list is its small size. Despite this, its bite is without a doubt potentially fatal to humans. One bite will not kill unless appropriate treatment is given. Non-critical bites can lead to Irukandji syndrome, when symptoms such as excruciating cramps, severe back and kidney pain, burning of the skin and face, vomiting, headache and increased heart rate appear. Victims also described a “feeling of doom.” The good news is that the bite itself is not very painful!
1. Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri)
Photo. sea wasp
It goes without saying that this is the most poisonous and deadly jellyfish found in Australia. The variety of box jellyfish, known as sea wasp or sea stinger, are widely considered to be one of the deadliest creatures on earth. Along with other box jellyfish, they are responsible for at least 5,568 officially recorded deaths since 1954. In Australia, these jellyfish kill 1 person every year and another 100 people in Southeast Asia.
The 15 tentacles can reach up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length and are each covered with about half a million poisonous microscopic stinging cells. Each animal is estimated to contain enough poison to kill 60 adults. The poison acts too quickly and can kill in a few minutes, causing cardiovascular failure. It also affects the nervous system and skin cells.
Video. Box jellyfish - Sea wasp
In fact, the sting has been compared to the touch of a red hot iron. It has also been reported that the pain can be so severe that it can lead to shock, followed by drowning or cardiac arrest. The pain may continue for several weeks and then leave scars on the body that resemble marks from a whip.
With 24 eyes, four brains and an impressive 60 anal regions (whatever those are), she is certainly an advanced and formidable creature.
