The Mauve Stinger Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775). Distribution, Ecology, Toxicity and Epidemiology of Stings.

Abstract

Abstract:The toxicity of Cnidaria is a subject of concern due to its influence on humans. In particular, jellyfish blooms can highly affect human economical activities, such as bathing, fishery, tourism, etc., as well as the public health. Stinging structures of Cnidaria (nematocysts) produce remarkable effects on human skin, such as erythema, swelling, burning and vesicles, and at times further severe dermonecrotic, cardio-and neurotoxic effects, which are particularly dangerous in sensitive subjects. In several zones the toxicity of jellyfish is a very important health problem, thus it has stimulated the research on these organisms; to date toxicological research on Cnidarian venoms in the Mediterranean region is not well developed due to the weak poisonousness of venoms of jellyfish and anemones living in this area. In spite of this, during last decades several problems were also caused in the Mediterranean by stinging consequent to Cnidarian blooms mainly caused by Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskål, 1775) which is known to be the most venomous Mediterranean jellyfish. This paper reviews the knowledge on this jellyfish species, particularly considering its occurrence and toxicity.

Culture and growth of the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca in the laboratory

“…Populations occur in both the North and South Atlantic (Miller et al 2012), as well as in all the major oceans (Mayer 1910). The species has a negative impact on tourism (Bernard et al 2011) because of its painful stings (Maretic et al 1991, Mariottini et al 2008), on aquaculture by overwhelming fish farms and killing fish (Doyle et al 2008, Delannoy et al 2011, and potentially on the success of fish stocks such as tuna (Gordoa et al 2013). In the Mediterranean Sea, P. noc-tiluca has been a recurrent problem for centuries (Goy et al 1989).…”

Jellyfish blooms in China: Dominant species, causes and consequences

“…Another example is the bloom of jellyfish Cyanea nozakii in Liaodong Bay of Bohai Sea in 2004, which was regarded as the main cause for the approximately 80% decline of edible jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum and the direct economic losses were approximately US$70 million (Ge and He, 2004). Moreover, venomous jellyfish can produce skin erythema, swelling, burning and vesicles, and at times, severe dermonecrotic, cardio-and neurotoxic effects, which are occasionally fatal for some patients (Mariottini et al, 2008). The published hospital reports showed that over 2000 cases of jellyfish stings occurred in the popular coastal areas of China since 1983, including 13 fatal cases (Table 2).…”

The venom and the toxicity of Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa). A review of three decades of research in Italian laboratories and future perspectives

“…5,[39][40][41][42][43] In addition, the activity of crude venom on other cnidarians has been assessed.…”

“…5,6 It is a small pelagic medusa (3-12 cm diam- eter of adult umbrella), whose colour varies from pink to brown to violet. It can be observed mainly during spring and summers.…”