It never fails to amaze me how new things are discovered on our doorstep when the majority of people think everything is known about nature. This is particularly true in Australia where a low number of people live on a vast continent. Some places have not even been visited by humans for thousands of years.
Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin has identified two species of jellyfish that can carry Irukandji syndrome. The new species are Keesingia gigas and Malo bella. Doctor Gershwin works for CSIRO. There are now 16 species that can cause Irukandji.
Keesingia can grow to 50 cm in bell height. This is by far the largest jellyfish. Juvenile leatherjacket fish safely live in its subumbrellar cavity as with the more common medusas.
The two newly documented species have been generally known for some time. However, they have not been found in Australian waters before. They could have been present for a long time or maybe they are new, moving here due to climate change and the warming ocean.
Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin has identified two species of jellyfish that can carry Irukandji syndrome. The new species are Keesingia gigas and Malo bella. Doctor Gershwin works for CSIRO. There are now 16 species that can cause Irukandji.
Keesingia can grow to 50 cm in bell height. This is by far the largest jellyfish. Juvenile leatherjacket fish safely live in its subumbrellar cavity as with the more common medusas.
The two newly documented species have been generally known for some time. However, they have not been found in Australian waters before. They could have been present for a long time or maybe they are new, moving here due to climate change and the warming ocean.
Biology by Ty Buchanan
