Courtship behavior of the box jellyfish Copula sivickisi. The male (top) and female (bottom) engage in a complex mating ritual unique among cnidarians.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090402124316.htm
With over thousands of stinging cells that can emit deadly venom from tentacles that can reach 10 feet in length, the 50+ species of box jellyfish have long been of interest to scientists and, very much to the public. Yet, little has been known about the evolution of this early branch in the animal tree of life. On the 18 of November the paper published a devistating fact. NOAA researchers Cheryl Lewis Ames, Bastian Bentlage and Allen Collins of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's National Systematics Laboratory and colleagues from the University of Kansas, Pacific Biosciences Research Center in Hawaii and the University of Queensland in Australia have revealed the evolutionary relationships common with the various species of box jellyfish. Collins, a specialist in Cnidaria (pronounced nidaria), the phylum of animals that includes box jellyfish had said, "By determining the relationships among the different box jellyfish, some of which are capable of killing a healthy human being, this study can help in the future development of antivenoms and treatments for their venomous stings. Researchers will now be able to make more informed choices about organisms for future venom studies, and make predictions on which species are likely to be of public health concern, in addition to the known culprits."
Now that is some news that I think should be a good read. If these medusa are as dangerous as they say, then it should probably be kept away from civilization, except for scientist who want to research it. This species of box jellyfish seem way too poisonous for common people to come across.
