''Tamoya haplonema'' is a species 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 ' ...

in the genus '' Tamoya''. It is the type species of the genus and was described in 1859. The medusa possesses four tentacles, one each on an inter-radial pedal.

Body

They possess 4 tentacles, one each on an inter-radial pedal. Like other cubomedusae, ''Tamoya haplonema'' has four rhopalia with a statolith and four simple eyes and two camera eyes on each rhopalium.

Diet

''Tamoya haplonema'' prey on fish. They have also been observed interacting with fish outside of the predator prey relationship, with the fish going inside the jellyfish and around the tentacles without being consumed.

Habitat

It is native to the western Atlantic, and specimens have been found from Argentina to

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...

. Some specimens have been found in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama. They were once thought to live off the coast of Africa, but those sightings have since been attributed to actually be a different species, ''

Tamoya ancamori ''Tamoya'' is a genus 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 tentac ...

''.

Toxicity

Like other box jellyfish, they are highly venomous and have been known to sting humans. If stung, vinegar should be applied to deactivate the nematocysts in the skin. Cold seawater compress should also be applied.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3379384 Animals described in 1859 Tamoyidae Wikipedia Student Program