Jellyfish possess venomous cnidae on their tentacles to capture and consume marine zooplankton. Nevertheless, the planktonic larvae of the smooth fan lobster (Ibacus novemdentatus), known as phyllosoma, prey on jellyfish and successfully ingest both tentacle tissue as well as constituent cnidae, despite the presence of the venom-filled explosively penetrant cnidae or nematocysts. In the present...

Here we present the cloning, expression and immunocytochemical localization of a novel 24 kDa protein, designated spinalin, which is present in the spines and operculum of Hydra nematocysts. Spinalin cDNA clones were identified by in situ hybridization to differentiating nematocytes. Sequencing of a full-length clone revealed the presence of an N-terminal signal peptide, suggesting that the mat...

Abstract Chronic skin eruptions may follow the acute reaction to envenomation by some jellyfish, incidence and management of which are not well described. We describe with topical tacrolimus a chronic eruption following Pelagia noctiluca (‘mauve stinger’), one most common stinging jellyfish in Mediterranean Sea. An 8-year-old girl was stung on arm P. Menorca, Spain. First-aid measures vinegar a...

OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiology and clinical features of box jellyfish envenoming in the Top End of the Northern Territory and, in particular, confirmed stings from the major Australian box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri. DESIGN Prospective collection of clinical data and skin scrapings or sticky-tape tests for nematocyst identification from patients presenting to Royal Darwin Hospital a...

In situ visualization of microbial communities within their natural habitats provides a powerful approach to explore complex interactions between microorganisms and their macroscopic hosts. Specifically, the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to simultaneously identify and visualize diverse microbial taxa associated with coral hosts, including symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium...

related to extant Staurozoa (Cnidaria)? Evidence from the muscular system reconsidered. Haootia quadriformis was described from the lower Fermeuse Formation of the Bonavista Peninsula of Newfoundland (approx. 560 Ma) and its numerous regularly aligned impressions were interpreted as evidence of muscular tissue ([1, figs 1a and 3b]). Consequently, this fossil could represent the earliest preserv...

Transdermal delivery is an attractive option for drug delivery. Nevertheless, the skin is a tough barrier and only a limited number of drugs can be delivered through it. The most difficult to deliver are hydrophilic drugs. The stinging mechanism of the cnidarians is a sophisticated injection system consisting of microcapsular nematocysts, which utilize built-in high osmotic pressures to inject ...

The considerable morphological disparity present within Cnidaria is evidenced by delicate siphonophores, massive medusae and corals, feathery hydroids, interstitial polyps and box jellies possessing complex eyes. Despite this diversity, these relatively simple metazoans are united in possessing nematocysts, most probably as a result of common ancestry. Corroborating evidence that cnidarians are...

Marrus claudanielis, a new species of deep-sea physonect siphonophore, is described from material collected by the ROV TIBURON, off California (eastern North Pacific), and the submersible JOHNSON-SEA-LINK II, off New Jersey (western North Atlantic). Marrus claudanielis is extremely fragile and all observed specimens autotomized some of their parts during observation or collection, due to the st...