BOXES OF DEATH - BOX JELLYFISH
Recognized as one of the greatest marine hazards, box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) kill more people than sharks, crocodiles and stonefish combined.
Each year, in late summer, the adult box jellyfish spawn at river mouths before dying. The fertilised eggs become tiny polyps which attach themselves to rocks in estuaries. In spring these polyps develop into little swimming jellyfish which migrate down rivers, especially with rains, to feed on shrimp. Unfortunately, they frequent beaches which humans also find attractive. The animal does not actively hunt, relying on food to bump into its tentacles. A struggling shrimp might tear a delicate jellyfish, so it needs to be killed instantly, on contact, with a very strong poison.
Tentacles, up to 60 in number and reaching 5m in length, are arranged in four groups at the corners of a box-shaped bell which can be as large as a basketball. The tentacles are armed with up to 5 000 million stinging cells known as nematocysts. These are triggered into action when stimulated by certain chemicals found on the surface of fish, shellfish and humans. Contact with just 3m of tentacles can kill an adult.
Recent studies have shown that the box jellyfish is able to see through four eyes, one at the centre of each side of the bell. How it processes this information without a brain is still a mystery but the animal is able to avoid even quite small objects. They probably try to avoid humans in the water, if given the chance; stings usually occur when people blunder into them. (They are almost invisible in the water.) It is certainly in the interest of the jellyfish to avoid turtles which eat them, apparently unaffected by the stings.
Another box jellyfish, Chiropsalmus quadrigatus, is generally less common than Chironex fleckeri, although it may outnumber them on Cairns to Port Douglas beaches. It is smaller, with slimmer tentacles, but the two are difficult to tell apart. There are about 20 species, worldwide, in the Cubozoa, or box jellyfish, family, Chironex fleckeri is the most lethal member.
IRUKANDJIS
Although it is more numerous in summer months, the irukandji (Corukia barnesi) can be found all year round and inhabits all waters. A member of the box family, it has one tentacle at each corner of its bell. It is tiny - only 2cm across the bell - but nonetheless packs a massive punch. Both bell and tentacles have stinging cells.
The actual sting is minor, but 20-30 minutes later the victim begins to experience agony which lasts for hours. Although not blamed for deaths its tendency to cause raised blood pressure can be dangerous for vulnerable victims. Ignoring the initial sting may also lead to some people suffering severe symptoms in deep water or while driving.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
perfectscience@gmail.com
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2011/12/19/former-venezuelan-beauty-queen-eva-ekvall-dies/
She from the USA not South America
( farm with jelly fish after we take her and help her and her father from his Coke problem see Eric letter to Andrew Nixon Wesak ayhandoyukdeadbeatdad.com ) sponsored was given the role after
Tom Webb gave me a deal in Sarasota to sponsor the beauty show , Ind , NY , St Louis and other but no money that we Perfect Aqua Inc Joanne Spritzer , Anna Welch , Nancy Welch , Gerry Welch , Jill Spritzer , Jody Spritzer , Bill Spritzer , Pam Lambert , Micheal Mickey PHD , Perfect Science AD , Richard and Jolynn Mac Tyler .
Bo Who by the way did you know that the former Vice President Al Gore all so owned a beauty something ?????
Who father Ira Boggs Randall Miller partner and ours International Beef Live
Animal Import and Export ( Istanbul see Ayhan Doyuk Dead Beat Dad and
All so that Tom Webb all so work with the same Mr Gore something or other and that he gave or said at the time after the earth quake in Turkey in Steve Torrence house that the FBI will stop all research on breast cancer .
She from the USA not South America
( farm with jelly fish after we take her and help her and her father from his Coke problem see Eric letter to Andrew Nixon Wesak ayhandoyukdeadbeatdad.com ) sponsored was given the role after
Tom Webb gave me a deal in Sarasota to sponsor the beauty show , Ind , NY , St Louis and other but no money that we Perfect Aqua Inc Joanne Spritzer , Anna Welch , Nancy Welch , Gerry Welch , Jill Spritzer , Jody Spritzer , Bill Spritzer , Pam Lambert , Micheal Mickey PHD , Perfect Science AD , Richard and Jolynn Mac Tyler .
Bo Who by the way did you know that the former Vice President Al Gore all so owned a beauty something ?????
Who father Ira Boggs Randall Miller partner and ours International Beef Live
Animal Import and Export ( Istanbul see Ayhan Doyuk Dead Beat Dad and
All so that Tom Webb all so work with the same Mr Gore something or other and that he gave or said at the time after the earth quake in Turkey in Steve Torrence house that the FBI will stop all research on breast cancer .
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