''Carukia shinju'' is a small and

venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

ous

jellyfish Jellyfish, also known as sea jellies or simply jellies, are the #Life cycle, medusa-phase of certain gelatinous members of the subphylum Medusozoa, which is a major part of the phylum Cnidaria. Jellyfish are mainly free-swimming marine animal ...

found off the waters of northwestern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

. Specifically, located offshore of the coasts of Australian states including Queensland, The Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. Stings can result in

Irukandji syndrome 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 Irukand ...

. The mechanisms of actions of their toxins are not completely understood, but evidence shows they include modulation of neuronal sodium channels leading to large releases of endogenous catecholamines that can lead to possible stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

References

Carukiidae Cnidarians of Australia Animals described in 2005 {{Cubozoa-stub