‘New’ Jellyfish Species Has 24 Eyes and an Extremely Deadly Marine Relative
Most people think that we understand almost everything there is to understand about the Earth. In reality, it still holds many secrets, especially in the world under the water.
One of those secrets that have always existed was recently revealed to scientists in Hong Kong. A small cube-shaped jellyfish species was found in a shrimp pond, and they had no idea they existed.
The transparent jellyfish, which is known as Tripedalia maipoensis, was named after the Hong Kong Mai Po Nature Reserve.
The newfound jellyfish is able to move quickly through the water. It could outpace almost any other species of jellyfish.
The jellyfish is also transparent, with paddles on the end of its 12 tentacles. Those paddles allow it to travel quickly.
There are other box jellies found throughout the world, including the Australian box jellyfish. The National Ocean Service reports that the Australian box jellyfish is one of the most venomous sea creatures in existence.
You will find six clusters of eyes, which total 24, that are arranged around the cubicle bell of this box jellyfish.
According to a professor in the Department of Biology at Hong Kong Baptist University, Qiu Jianwen, “This box jellyfish connects the base of its tentacles and its bell with a flat base that looks like a boat paddle, making it distinct from other common jellyfish.”
The professor went on to say that there are six eyes located on each side of the body of this box jellyfish.
The new jellyfish was found in the Mai Po Nature Reserve, its namesake. They also posted the study in the Zoological Studies Journal.
This Jellyfish Is a First
Prior to the time that they found this box jellyfish, they had never found another in Chinese waters. The jellyfish is venomous, but since it is only half an inch long, it will not likely kill a human.
It’s also of interest that they refer to box jellyfish as sea wasps. They pull in water through canals and expel it out of their body, allowing them to move through the water easily.
They weren’t looking for the jellyfish when they found it. They were collecting samples from a shrimp pond, but they couldn’t help but notice the jellyfish, as they were ‘quite abundant.’
There is still much they need to learn about T. maipoensis. What they do know is in each cluster of six eyes, there is a pair that allows them to see, and the others only sense light.
Researchers aren’t sure what they eat, but they do feel that they likely feed on copepods, which are small crustaceans found in the pond.
Qiu is thrilled with the discovery, adding that they found something new where extensive research has already been conducted. It really highlights the possibility that there is more to discover.
