Carukiidae is a family of
box jellyfish
Box jellyfish (class Cubozoa) are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their box-like (i.e., cube-shaped) body. Some species of box jellyfish produce potent venom delivered by contact with their tentacles. Stings from some species, including ' ...
within the
Cubozoa
Box jellyfish (class Cubozoa) are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their box-like (i.e., cube-shaped) body. Some species of box jellyfish produce potent venom (poison), venom delivered by contact with their tentacles. Stings from some spec ...
class. Carukiidae can be easily classified by their lack of cirri clumps inside the cubozoan stomach, as well as the size and the placement of their
nematocysts.
Carukiidae use nematocysts as a defense mechanism; they releases a venom from the tips of their
nematocysts, producing the
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 ...
. Even though positions of spines on the shaft of the Carukiidae cause illness, there are areas on the body that do not. The
rhopalial niche openings, which discern light, do not incur any illness. The Carukiidae also have non-venomous rhopaliar horns, which are imperceptive in function and located above the rhopalial niches.
Irukandji syndrome triggered by Carukiidae requires immediate medical attention. In the event that it goes untreated in humans, cardiac arrest is a potentially deadly consequence.
Classification
* ''
Carukia''
** ''
Carukia barnesi''
(Southcott, 1967)
** ''
Carukia shinju''
(Gershwin, 2005)
* ''Gerongia''
** ''
Gerongia rifkinae''
(Gershwin & Alderslade, 2005)
* ''
Malo''
** ''
Malo kingi''
( Gershwin, 2007)
** ''
Malo maxima''
(Gershwin, 2005)[
** '' Malo filipina'' (Bentlage & Lewis, 2012)]
References
*
Carybdeida
Cnidarian families
{{Cubozoa-stub