Box JellyfishAlatina alataHas a Circumtropical Distribution

Abstract

Species of the box jellyfish (Cubozoa) genus Alatina are notorious for their sting along the beaches of several localities of the Atlantic and Pacific. These species include Alatina alata on the Caribbean Island of Bonaire (the Netherlands), A. moseri in Hawaii, and A. mordens in Australia. Most cubozoans inhabit coastal waters, but Alatina is unusual in that specimens have also been collected in the open ocean at great depths. Alatina is notable in that populations form monthly aggregations for spermcast mating in conjunction with the lunar cycle. Nominal species are difficult to differentiate morphologically, and it has been unclear whether they are distinct or a single species with worldwide distribution. Here we report the results of a population genetic study, using nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data from four geographical localities. Our analyses revealed a general lack of geographic structure among Alatina populations, and slight though significant isolation by distance. These data corroborate morphological and behavioral similarities observed in the geographically disparate localities, and indicate the presence of a single, pan-tropically distributed species, Alatina alata. While repeated, human-mediated introductions of A. alata could explain the patterns we have observed, it seems more likely that genetic metapopulation cohesion is maintained via dispersal through the swimming medusa stage, and perhaps via dispersal of encysted planulae, which are described here for the first time in Alatina.

Early life history and metamorphosis in <i>Malo maxima</i> Gershwin, 2005 (Carukiidae, Cubozoa, Cnidaria)

“…In Malo maxima and Carukia barnesi, hatched planulae showed a swimming stage before settlement and development into a primary polyp, which is similar to other tropical cubozoans e.g. Carybdea xaymacana (Studebaker 1972), Alatina alata (Carrette et al 2014, Lawley et al 2016, Tripedalia cystophora (Werner 1975), Copula sivickisi (Toshino et al 2014a) and Chironex fleckeri (Yamaguchi & Hartwick 1980). The planula of Morbakka virulenta stayed inside its unhatched membrane until the development of the primary polyp was completed without a pelagic stage (Toshino et al 2013).…”

Pre-exposure to simultaneous, but not individual, climate change stressors limits acclimation capacity of Irukandji jellyfish polyps to predicted climate scenarios

“…Here we examine the role of pre-exposure to elevated temperature and reduced pH (separately and in combination), in potentially mitigating the effects of future ocean conditions on polyps of Alatina alata (Lawley et al, 2016). This study consisted of two parts:…”

Cassiosomes are stinging-cell structures in the mucus of the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana

“…We targeted a cnidarian-restricted CrTX/CaTX family toxin 37,38 gene in DNA extracted separately from C. xamachana medusa tissue and isolated cassiosomes, and also from tissue of the jellyfish Aurelia sp. (Class Scyphozoa) and a more divergent jellyfish species Alatina alata (Class Cubozoa) for comparison.…”