As we research jellyfish, which are divided into many different types according to their characteristics, astonishing new species are encountered. Among jellyfish, there are very poisonous ones, immortal ones, as well as luminous ones. Let's take a look at the most well-known jellyfish types together.
There are approximately 300 species of jellyfish currently known in the world. Jellyfish, most of which live in warm seas, do not have a deadly species living in European waters. However, due to climate change, some poisonous jellyfish species have begun to appear in the Mediterranean and Baltic seas.
Climate change also affects the oceans, but jellyfish continue their lives without any problems. According to research, there are 400 dead zones around the world where no living creatures other than jellyfish can survive due to water pollution. In the Philippines alone, 20 to 40 people die from jellyfish every year. In addition to all this, according to some scientists; Due to environmental pollution and global warming, jellyfish will be seen in more places in the near future.
The most common jellyfish in our country are: Moon jellyfish, Lung jellyfish, Purple sting jellyfish, Blue jellyfish, Compass Jellyfish, Upside-down jellyfish, Migratory jellyfish, White-spotted jellyfish. The most dangerous of these species is the Migratory jellyfish.
Box Jellyfish (Carybdea marsupialis)
Although the box jellyfish is heralded in the media as "the world's most venomous creature" or the deadliest creature in the sea, only a few species have been confirmed to be involved in human deaths; Some species only cause severe pain when they sting. The Chironex fleckeri type jellyfish seen off the coast of Australia is quite poisonous. It has 60 tentacles, 3 meters long. Approximately 6,000 people have died from box jellyfish since the 1960s. It has 500,000 microscopic poisonous arrows in each extension. Box jellyfish can hunt by moving instead of drifting like other jellyfish. It is a very common species in the Indian Ocean, the Philippines, Vietnam, New Guinea and Australia. Box jellyfish are dangerous not only in water but also on land. The poison of a dead jellyfish you find on the shore may still be active and dangerous. Box jellyfish have started to cause concern in our country since 2011. The possibility of the box jellyfish, which was seen off the Greek island of Mora in 2011, being found on our country's coast is still debatable.
Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
Moon jellyfish are found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans around the world; In Turkey, it is found in all seas. This non-poisonous species is usually seen in polluted areas of the sea and on beaches. Moon jellyfish, a common type of jellyfish, is not dangerous and does not usually sting. Still, it is better to stay away from swimming.
Thousands of them can spread together in shallow places, and large groups make it difficult to cast nets, negatively affecting fishing. When they wash ashore during storms, they disturb the environment by emitting bad odors due to both visual pollution and decay. The most common jellyfish species in Turkey is the moon jellyfish and can reach a diameter of up to 50 cm.
Mediterranean Blue Jellyfish (Cotylorhiza tuberculata)
This jellyfish, which looks like a fried egg when viewed from above, is not dangerous and will not harm you. The head and tentacles of the fried egg jellyfish, which is an endemic species found only in the Mediterranean in the world, appear to be separate from each other. Its diameter can reach 40 cm. The middle of its umbrella, which is quite hard and round, is yellow or reddish in color. There are short extensions around this part that allow it to move. At the bottom of the umbrella, there are blue-purple colored, budded mouth arms that resemble corals. This sensitive creature, which does not burn when touched, should not be touched in order to avoid being harmed. It is also harmless to fish and can be used as a shelter by small fish.
Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)
This large jellyfish with its fascinating, curved arms lives in warm seas and the Mediterranean. It has a very weak poison, so it is not dangerous.
Purple Stinging Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca)
It has 8 small tentacles hanging from its mushroom-shaped umbrella and 4 large tentacles (more than 1 meter long) located around its mouth. This jellyfish, which creates a beautiful appearance with its blue-purple colored bell in shades of pink, is poisonous and dangerous with a diameter of 10-15 cm. Due to its phosphorescence feature, it emits a faint light under water and can survive up to a depth of 50 meters. It is very common on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, especially in summer. The bu jellyfish, which feeds on Planktons and fish, causes a sharp pain when you touch its tentacles. A severe sting can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, headache and loss of consciousness.
Portuguese Warrior (Physalia physalis)
Portuguese man o'war got its name due to its resemblance to 18th-century Portuguese warships. It is not a true jellyfish, but a type of siphonophore. Siphonophore is a colony formed by the coming together of many specialized organisms. These creatures are zooids that cannot live on their own. Its tentacles are approximately 10 meters long, can reach up to 30 meters and are quite dangerous. Their venom, similar to cobra venom, is ten times stronger than a normal jellyfish.This creature, which moves thanks to winds, currents and tides, gathers in groups in the Indian and Pacific oceans. During the hot summer months, they head north towards the poles.
Sea Hornet (Chironex fleckeri)
This creature, nicknamed the Sea Wasp, is the most dangerous box jellyfish species. It caused the death of many people off the coast of Australia. Its box-shaped umbrella is only a few centimeters across, but it has tentacles that can extend up to ten metres. These tentacles have hooks that dig into the skin. It has a poison that causes severe pain, convulsions, breathing difficulties, rapid blood pressure increase and heart failure. It is estimated that the poison in an adult jellyfish can be enough to kill 60 people.It is seen on the coast of Australia, New Guinea, Thailand, the north of the Philippines and Vietnam.
Irukandji Jellyfish (Carukia Barnesi)
You've probably never seen this jellyfish, and you probably never will, because it's approximately 5 mm long. Although this tiny jellyfish does not seem dangerous at first glance, it has a poison that is a hundred times stronger than the cobra's venom. This poison does not take effect immediately. It begins to work in about 30 minutes and causes symptoms called Irukandji syndrome. It manifests itself as unbearable cramps throughout the body, back pain, burning sensation, vomiting, increased blood pressure, palpitations and fear of death. Symptoms may persist for up to several days.
Velella velella
This interesting creature that can glide on the sea surface is actually a type of hydra. Velella velella, commonly known as sea raft, windy sailor, purple sail, small sail, blue sail, lives in warm and temperate waters in all the world's oceans. This creature, which has no means of movement other than its sail, is at the mercy of the wind to navigate the seas. Each human body may respond differently to the poison of V. velella, but it is mostly harmless.
Aequorea bayana / Crystal Jellyfish
Aequorea showcasea, often called crystal jellyfish, lampshade or disc jellyfish, should not be confused with Aequorea victoria, also called crystal jelly. It has a saucer-shaped umbrella that is thick in the middle and becomes thinner towards the edges. Its stomach is about half the thickness of the disc. The number of radial channels is 60-100. It has more than 200 50 cm long tentacles. This jellyfish is found in the North Sea, around Great Britain and Ireland. It was recorded as an invasive species in the Sea of Marmara in 2017.
Chrysaora hysoscella / Compass Jellyfish
The compass jellyfish, which has colors in shades of brown, yellow and red, has "V" shaped brown stripes on its head. This jellyfish, whose diameter can reach up to 20 cm, has 4 long mouth arms with curved edges. Compass jellyfish, which are generally seen in coastal areas, can be seen from spring to the end of summer. This species, which has a lifespan of about one year and is found all over the world, lives in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas in our country. It has started to be seen in the Marmara Sea since the 2000s. Compass jellyfish, like other species, cause painful, itchy blisters where touched.
