Cubomedusae (Cubomedusa) The cubozoa (Cubozoa, from the Greek kybos, cubo, and zoon, animal) or cubomedusas (Cubomedusae), commonly called “sea wasps” for their dangerous venom, are a class of the phylum Cnidaria inhabitants of the marine macroplankton. Its name alludes to the cubic shape of the body of these cnidarians. They bear some resemblance to jellyfish of the Scyphozoa class, and their taxonomic position is not yet well defined. They do not reach 40 described species that, formerly, were classified within the Sciphozoans. These are Australian, Philippine and other tropical areas. They are famous for the catastrophic effects of their poison, very dangerous for humans.
Summary
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- 1 Features
- 2 Reproduction and biological cycle
- 3 Danger to humans
- 4 Source
characteristics
They have a velarium, a structure similar to the hydromedusa veil, but which differs from the veil in its development and contains digestive diverticula. In the so-called apparel, it is possible to find eyes with photoreceptors and statocysts, sensitive to orientation. The polypoid form is known in few species and they do not suffer strobilation. One of the most notorious characteristics of cubozoa is their powerful poison. In each of its tentacles, the medomedusae have up to 500,000 cnidoblasts, specialized cells that have a harpoon-shaped structure, the nematocyst, which is in charge of inoculating the venom when the cell makes contact with a prey. Although its characteristics vary according to the species, its function is the same: catch possible prey as well as defend against predators.
Reproduction and biological cycle
The study of their reproduction is very difficult, therefore there is very little information on this group. It seems that the few polyps that have been described do not suffer strobilation like sciphozoa and that each polyp undergoes a metamorphosis that causes a single jellyfish. Some cubomedusas perform a kind of copulation.
Danger to humans
Despite not being aggressive animals, the cubomedusas can be fatal to humans due to their powerful poison. If a bather comes in contact with the cnidoblasts, they will inject the toxins into the victim, causing a terrible sensation of pain, as well as redness and inflammation of the affected area. In a few minutes the affected person will suffer a cardiovascular collapse that can result in death. This is caused due to the action of toxins, which produces hyperkalemia in the body. It has been postulated that a zinc-based treatment can help save the life of the affected person.
