Skip to main content
Download PDF
  • Published:

Nematocysts ofChiropsalmus quadrumanus with comments on the systematic status of the Cubomedusae

Nematocysten vonChiropsalmus quadrumanus mit Anmerkungen zum systematischen Status der Cubomedusen

Helgoländer wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen volume 27, pages 364–369 (1975)Cite this article

Kurzfassung

Der Bau der Nesselkapseln der WürfelqualleChiropsalmus quadrumanus wurde an Exemplaren aus dem Küstenbereich von South Carolina und von Georgia (USA) lichtmikroskopisch untersucht. Das Cnidom besteht aus Isorhizen, mikrobasischen Mastigophoren und heterotrichen mikrobasischen Eurytelen. Mastigophoren sind lediglich bei Hydrozoen und Anthozoen sowie unter den Scyphozoen nur bei Cubomedusen gefunden worden. In Übereinstimmung mit neueren Ergebnissen über den Lebenszyklus dieser Formen weist dieser Befund darauf hin, daß sich die Cubomedusen von anderen Scyphozoen deutlich unterscheiden und als eigene Unterklasse oder Klasse einzuordnen sind.

Summary

  1. 1.

    Cubomedusae or “sea wasps” have generally been placed in the Scyphozoa, although they differ significantly in morphology from other representatives of the class. This study was undertaken to determine possible differences in the nematocyst complement of Cubomedusae and other scyphozoans.

  2. 2.

    Nematocysts were examined in specimens of the sea waspChiropsalmus quadrumanus from South Carolina and Georgia, USA. The cnidome of these medusae consisted of isorhizas, microbasic mastigophores, and heterotrichous microbasic euryteles.

  3. 3.

    Mastigophores occur in hydrozoans and anthozoans but have not been observed in scyphozoans other than sea wasps. Together with recent evidence from life history studies, this difference indicates that the Cubomedusae are sufficiently distinctive to merit recognition as either a separate subclass or class.

Literature cited

  • Barnes, J. H., 1966. Studies on three venomous Cubomedusae. In: The Cnidaria and their evolution. Ed. byW. J. Rees. Acad. Press, New York, 307–332. Symp. zool. Soc. Lond.16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calder, D. R., 1971. Nematocysts of polyps ofAurelia, Chrysaora, andCyanea, and their utility in identification. Trans. Am. microsc. Soc.90, 269–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • —— 1972. Nematocysts of the medusa stage ofRhopilema verrilli (Scyphozoa, Rhizostomeae). Trans. Am. microsc. Soc.91, 213–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • —— 1974. Nematocysts of the coronate scyphomedusa,Linuche unguiculata, with a brief reexamination of scyphozoan nematocyst classification. Chesapeake Sci.15, 170–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleland, J. B. &Southcott, R. V., 1965. Injuries to man from marine invertebrates in the Australian region. Spec. Rep. Ser. natl. Hlth. med. Res. Coun., Canberra12, 1–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halstead, B. W., 1965. Poisonous and venomous marine animals of the world. U. S. Gov. Print. Off., Washington, D. C.,1, 297–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingston, C. W. &Southcott, R. V., 1960. Skin histopathology in fatal jellyfish stinging. Trans. R. Soc. trop. Med. Hyg.54, 373–384.

    Google Scholar 

  • Papenfuss, E. J., 1936. The utility of the nematocysts in the classification of certain Scyphomedusae. Lunds Univ. Arsskr. (Adv. 2)31 (11), 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southcott, R. V., 1967. Revision of some Carybdeidae (Scyphozoa: Cubomedusae), including a description of the jellyfish responsible for the “Irukandji Syndrome”. Aust. J. Zool.15, 651–671.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weill, R., 1934. Contribution à l'étude des cnidaires et de leurs nématocystes. I. Recherches sur les nématocystes (morphologie, physiologie, développement). II. Valeur taxonomique du cnidome. Trav. Stn. zool. Wimereux10, 1–347;11, 351–701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, B., 1965. Die Nesselkapseln der Cnidaria, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Hydroida. I. Klassifikation und Bedeutung für die Systematik und Evolution. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters.12, 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • —— 1973. Spermatozeugmen und Paarungsverhalten beiTripedalia cystophora (Cubomedusae). Mar. Biol.18, 212–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • ——Cutress, C. E. &Studebaker, J. P., 1971. Life cycle ofTripedalia cystophora Conant (Cubomedusae). Nature, Lond.232, 582–583.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

    D. R. Calder & E. C. Peters

Authors
  1. D. R. Calder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. C. Peters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Calder, D.R., Peters, E.C. Nematocysts ofChiropsalmus quadrumanus with comments on the systematic status of the Cubomedusae. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 27, 364–369 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01611701

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01611701

Keywords

Helgoland Marine Research

ISSN: 1438-3888

Contact us