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Carybdea is a genus of venomous box jellyfish within the family Carybdeidae that currently consists of a total of 8 species. This genus of jellyfish are often found in warm waters around the world in waters such as the Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and off the coast of Africa. Their sting can cause a range of effects depending on the species. These will go through both sexual and asexual reproduction as they transform from a polyp to medusa. Carybdea have a box-shaped bell with four tentacles and eye-like sensory structures. There are distinct physical markings that differentiate many species within the genus. While Carybdea use their venom to act as predators, they are also preyed on by and various fish. They feed on plankton, invertebrates, fish, and some .
/ref> Carybdea rastoni, another common species, is known to inhabit warm shallow waters. It is commonly found in the warm waters of Hawaii, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.Scripps Institution of Oceanography. (n.d.). Carybdea rastoni. Carybdea rastoni | Zooplankton Guide. http://sio-legacy.ucsd.edu/zooplanktonguide/species/carybdea-rastoni Carybdea swim to deeper waters in search of food.
/ref> The fertilized egg will then form into a planula (jellyfish larvae) that will travel around until it colonizes on the seafloor. At this stage, it will attach to coral or rock and develop into a polyp. There are two ways that a polyp can produce the medusa. The polyp can go through an asexual reproduction process called budding, where the jellyfish will make small clone growths that separate and develop into a medusa, or the original polyp can develop into the medusa. These jellyfish live for about one year.
A study conducted in 2005 reveals an additional stage that the species Carybdea marsupialis carries out. I. Straehler-Pohl and G. Jarms describe the second type of metamorphosis that results in a regenerative remnant. This medusa form is thought to be from strobilation known from scyphozoa. The results of this study show that nearly 45% of the C. marsupialis studied had this regenerative remnant and those that did had a higher rate of asexual propagation.
In 2014, researchers investigated the increase in the density of the C. marsupialis species. The study concluded that the proliferation could be from a couple of factors such as climate change, food availability, and overfishing. Another possible component is the man-made structures such as docks, , and breakwaters that allow for more planula settlement and asexual reproduction of the polyp stage.
A popular remedy for the pain, inflammation, and any remaining tentacle pieces from the sting is vinegar. When stings occur vinegar can come to the rescue by inactivating the Cnidocyte (specialized cells in the tentacles of jellyfish). A controversial topic surrounding the treatment of jellyfish stings is whether or not to apply a pressure-immobilization bandage. There is some evidence that shows applying pressure can cause the discharge of additional venom from partial nematocysts and vinegar-soaked nematocyst. Currently, the Australian Resuscitation Council suggests that the most effective treatment is to soak the area with vinegar and transport it to a healthcare facility as needed until further research is conducted.
/ref> In some species, crustaceans and are also prey.
To defend themselves, Carybdea also use their stinging tentacles and venom to ward off predators. These nematocysts are arranged in a ring formation, and it is believed so that the surface area of the Predation to the nematocysts is greater and therefore causes greater harm. Predators may vary from species to species depending on what body of water each species lives in. For example, some of the most prominent predators of Carybdea alata include , batfish, butterfish, and .Feye, E., & Kelsey Micech. (2014). Carybdea alata: A Box Jellyfish with a Painful Sting. UWL Website. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2014/feye_emil/interactions.htm#:~:text=Hawaiian%20Box%20Jellyfish%20sting%20humans,Marsh%2C%20et%20al%202010. It is important to note that not all predators are affected by the Carybdea's sting. Sea turtles that eat C. alata are affected by the venom as other predators would be. Humans are often unintentional predators of Carybdea. Owing to the transparency of many species' bells, swimmers often do not see the organisms in the water. When a human comes in contact with one of the tentacles of the Carybdea, its natural instinct to defend itself and sting the human occurs. The severity of the sting and its side effects varies from species to species.
/ref> Looking up through the Carybdea you will see the mouth. Most species rage in size anywhere from 15 mm to 40 mm in their adult life. Attached to each corner of the box shaped ball are four tentacles that range in length from species to species. These tentacles are attached to the bell through the pedalium. On these tentacles are specialized cells known as nematocysts. These cells contain a coiled barb that when in contact with something will uncoil and fire, and release venom. Nematocysts are arranged in rings on the tentacles. A common characteristic of Carybdea is tan spots on the bell.
Many of the species within the genus spend the majority of their lives in the medusa stage, however a few species have the ability to attach and exist in the polyp stage. Because they are almost always in their medusa stage, they are almost constantly swimming.
However, there are some physical differences amongst species within the Genus Carybdea. For example, the species Carybdea marsupialis can be distinguished from other species by the red banding on their tentacles. Additionally, female Carybdea marsupialis have orange spots on their bells, but males do not. The species Carybdea sivickisi have yellow-colored tentacles, and similarly to Carybdea marsupialis only the females have orange spots on the bell. Carybdea rastoni are often difficult to see in the water but are distinguishable by their pinkish that are able to be seen through the bell.
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