Carukiidae is a family of box jellyfish within the Cubozoa class.Collins, Allen G. (2010). Carukiidae. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=484724 on 2011-09-21 Carukiidae can be easily classified by their lack of cirri clumps inside the cubozoan stomach, as well as the size and the placement of their nematocysts.
Carukiidae use nematocysts as a defense mechanism; they releases a venom from the tips of their nematocysts, producing the Irukandji syndrome. Even though positions of spines on the shaft of the Carukiidae cause illness, there are areas on the body that do not. The rhopalial niche openings, which discern light, do not incur any illness. The Carukiidae also have non-venomous rhopaliar horns, which are imperceptive in function and located above the rhopalial niches.
Irukandji syndrome triggered by Carukiidae requires immediate medical attention. In the event that it goes untreated in humans, cardiac arrest is a potentially deadly consequence.
Classification Carukia Carukia barnesi Southcott, 1967 Carukia shinju Gershwin, 2005 Gerongia Gerongia rifkinae Gershwin & Alderslade, 2005 Malo Malo bella Gershwin, 2014 Malo filipina Bentlage & Lewis, 2012 Malo kingi Gershwin, 2007 Malo maxima Gershwin, 2005 Morbakka Morbakka fenneri Gershwin, 2008 Morbakka virulenta (Kishinouye, 1910)
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