Jellyfish are very amazing creatures that evoke an extraordinary attitude towards them. Jellyfish can be found in every sea, in every ocean, on the surface of the water or at a depth of many kilometers.

Jellyfish are the oldest animals on the planet, their history goes back at least 600 million years. There is an incredible number of different species in nature, but even now the emergence of new ones, previously unknown to scientists, is being recorded.

Jellyfish (Polypomedusae) are one of the phases life cycle cnidarians Medusozoa, which are usually divided into three types: hydroid, scyphoid and box jellyfish. Jellyfish reproduce sexually. There are males who produce sperm and females who produce eggs. As a result of their fusion, the so-called planula is formed - a jellyfish larva. The planula settles to the bottom, where over time it turns into a polyp (asexual generation of jellyfish). Having reached full maturity, the polyp begins to bud off a young generation of jellyfish, often completely different from the adults. In scyphoid jellyfish, the newly separated specimen is called ether.
The body of jellyfish is a jelly-like dome, which, through contractions, allows them to move in the water column. Tentacles equipped with stinging cells (cnidocytes) with a burning poison are designed for hunting and capturing prey.

The term "jellyfish" was first used by Carl Linnaeus in 1752, as an allusion to the animal's resemblance to the head of the Gorgon Medusa. Becoming popular around 1796, the name began to be used to identify other medusoid species of animals, such as ctenophores.

A little interesting facts about jellyfish:

The world's largest jellyfish can reach up to 2.5 meters in diameter and have tentacles more than 40 meters long.
Jellyfish are capable of reproducing both sexually and by budding and fission.
Medusa " Australian wasp"is the most dangerous poisonous animal in the world's oceans. The venom of a sea wasp is enough to kill 60 people.
Even after the death of a jellyfish, its tentacles can sting for more than two weeks.
Jellyfish do not stop growing throughout their lives.
Large concentrations of jellyfish are called “swarms” or “blooms.”
Some types of jellyfish are eaten in East Asia, considering them a “delicacy”.
Jellyfish don't have a brain respiratory system, circulatory, nervous and excretory systems.
The rainy season significantly reduces the number of jellyfish living in salt water bodies.
Some female jellyfish can produce up to 45,000 larvae (planulae) per day.

Pink jellyfish from the Scyphozoan family was discovered quite recently, a little over 10 years ago, in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Some individuals of this species reach up to 70 cm in diameter. Pink jellyfish can cause serious and painful burns, especially if a swimmer inadvertently ends up among a large concentration of these creatures.

Antarctic Diplulmaris- one of the species of jellyfish of the Ulmaridae family. This jellyfish was recently discovered in Antarctica, in the waters of the continental shelf. The Antarctic Diplulmaris is only 4 cm in diameter.

Flower cap jellyfish(lat. Olindias Formosa) is one of the types of hydroid jellyfish from the order Limnomedusae. Basically, these cute creatures live off the southern coast of Japan. Feature- motionless hovering near the bottom in shallow water. Diameter " flower hat"usually does not exceed 7.5 cm. The tentacles of the jellyfish are located not only along the edge of the dome, but also over its entire surface, which is not at all typical for other species. A flower cap burn is not fatal, but is quite painful and can lead to severe allergic reactions.

Purple striped jellyfish(lat. Chrysaora Colorata) from the class Scyphozoa is found only near the coast of California. This rather large jellyfish reaches 70 cm in diameter, the length of the tentacles is about 5 meters. A characteristic feature is the striped pattern on the dome. In adults it has a bright purple color, in juveniles it is pink. Purple-striped jellyfish usually live alone or in small groups, unlike most other species of jellyfish, which often form huge colonies. The Chrysaora Colorata burn is quite painful, but not fatal to humans.

Giant Nomura jellyfish(Latin: Nemopilema nomurai) is a species of scyphoid jellyfish from the order Cornerotae. This species predominantly inhabits the East China and Yellow Seas. The size of individuals of this species is truly impressive! They can reach up to 2 meters in diameter and weigh about 200 kg. The name of the species was given in honor of Mr. Kan'ichi Nomura, general director fisheries in Fukui Prefecture. In early 1921, Mr. Nomura first collected and studied a previously unknown species of jellyfish. Currently, the number of Nomura jellyfish in the world is growing. Possible reasons population growth, scientists believe climate change, overexploitation water resources and pollution environment. In 2009, a 10-ton fishing trawler capsized in Tokyo Bay with three crew members trying to remove nets overflowing with dozens of Nomura jellyfish.

Tiburonia granrojo- a little-studied species of jellyfish from the Ulmáridos family, discovered by MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) only in 2003. It lives at depths between 600 and 1500 meters in Hawaii, the Gulf of California and Japan. Thanks to its rich dark red color, this species of jellyfish has earned the nickname Big Red. The great red jellyfish is one of the largest species of jellyfish, its diameter ranges from 60 to 90 cm. Currently, only 23 individuals of this red giant have been found and studied.

Pacific sea nettle(lat. Chrysaora fuscescens) - has a bright characteristic golden-brown color, which is why it is often kept in captivity (aquariums and oceanariums). The name of the jellyfish genus Chrysaora goes back to Greek mythology. Chrysaor is the son of Poseidon and Medusa the Gorgon; his name translated means “he who has golden weapons.” IN wildlife Sea nettles are found in the Pacific Ocean from Canada to Mexico. The diameter of the jellyfish's dome can reach more than 1 meter, but more often no more than 50 cm, the length of the tentacles is 3-4 meters. The tentacles of the jellyfish are very thin, so the burn looks like a bright red welt, similar to a blow from a whip. Although victims experience severe pain and burning, going to a medical facility is usually not required. You can neutralize the effects of jellyfish toxins and relieve pain with vinegar or citric acid.

Portuguese man of war(lat. Physalia physalis) is a bright and very toxic representative of colonial hydroids from the order of siphonophores. Most often found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and in the North Atlantic Ocean. IN Lately There has been a significant increase in the number of this species. Since 1989, physalia has appeared in the Mediterranean Sea, for the first time off the coast of Africa, then Corsica, and in 2010 it was discovered off the coast of Malta. In the period 2009-2010, cases of physalia appearing off the coasts of Ireland and Florida were recorded. Entire flotillas of Portuguese man-of-war can now be found off the coast of Guyana, Colombia, Jamaica, Venezuela, Australia and New Zealand. In fact, the Portuguese man-of-war is not a single jellyfish, since it is a whole colony of polypoid and medusoid individuals united under one “roof”. The tentacles of this unusual organism, when extended, can reach up to 50 meters in length. A Man of Portugal burn is comparable in toxicity to a poisonous snake bite. For burns, it is necessary to treat the affected area with 3-5% vinegar in order to prevent the release of poison from the stinging cells remaining in the wound. Only in in rare cases physalia burns lead to death. The Man of Portugal is especially dangerous for children, the elderly and allergy sufferers. Be extremely careful with this type of jellyfish.

Cephea cephea or the so-called “soft” jellyfish is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea. This large jellyfish can reach up to 50 cm in diameter.

Aurelia eared(lat. Aurelia aurita) is a scyphoid jellyfish from the order of discomedusae. Widely distributed in coastal waters tropical and temperate zones. In particular, the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The diameter of the aurelia dome can reach up to 40 cm. The color is pinkish-violet, the body is almost transparent. Until recently, this type of jellyfish was not considered dangerous to humans. However, there have been several recent cases of severe burns in the Gulf of Mexico. It is believed that in the waters of the Black Sea, aurelia does not pose a serious danger to humans.

Australian jellyfish or sea wasp (lat. Chironex fleckeri) from the class of box jellyfish - the most dangerous deadly animal in the world's oceans. The main habitats are the coasts of northern Australia and Indonesia. The sea wasp is one of the largest species of box jellyfish; the diameter of its dome can reach up to 20-30 cm. Its pale blue color and almost complete transparency make it especially dangerous for swimmers, since it is not easy to notice in the water. The tentacles of a jellyfish are densely covered with stinging cells containing extremely strong poison. Burns caused by box jellyfish cause severe excruciating pain and in some cases can lead to rapid death. Sea wasp venom simultaneously affects the heart, nervous system and skin. Moreover, the neurotoxic venom of a jellyfish acts much faster than the venom of any snake or spider. Cases have been recorded where death occurred within 4 minutes of contact. First aid for a sea wasp burn consists of immediately treating the affected area with vinegar, removing the tentacles that have stuck to the skin (remove only with protected hands or tweezers!) and immediately contacting a medical facility, as the administration of an antitoxic serum may be required. The Australian jellyfish is the most dangerous jellyfish in the world!

Ctenophores(Latin Ctenophora) are jellyfish-like organisms that live in sea waters almost all over the world. A distinctive feature of all ctenophores is a kind of “comb,” groups of fin-cilia used by this species for swimming. The sizes of Ctenophora range from a few millimeters to 1.5 meters. Among ctenophores, there are many deep-sea species capable of bioluminescence.

Aequorea Victoria or "crystal" jellyfish - a bioluminescent jellyfish from the order of hydromedusae. Widely distributed along the North American west coast Pacific Ocean, from the Bering Sea to Southern California.

Australian spotted jellyfish(lat. Phyllorhiza punctata) belongs to the family of pelagic jellyfish. Its main habitat is south basin Pacific Ocean. The usual size of the dome of the spotted Australian jellyfish is up to 40 cm, but in the waters of the Persian and Gulf of Mexico reaches 70 cm. The Australian jellyfish is not dangerous to humans. However, to neutralize the poison, it is worth resorting to a proven method - treating the skin with acetic or citric acid in order to prevent possible allergic reactions. Recently, a mass reproduction of Australian jellyfish has been recorded, which can pose a serious threat to populations commercial fish. Feeding on eggs and fry, they pass up to 15,000 liters of water per day through their tentacles and swallow huge amounts of plankton and other marine life.

Mediterranean jellyfish Cassiopeia can reach up to 30 cm in diameter. Most spends time in shallow water, basking in the sun's rays.

Hairy cyanea or Lion's mane jellyfish (lat. Cyanea capillata, Cyanea arctica) is a large jellyfish from the order of disc jellyfish. The species is widespread in all northern seas Quiet and Atlantic Oceans, lives near the coast in surface layers of water. Bell Arctic cyanea(subspecies of hairy cyanea) can reach up to 2 meters in diameter, and the length of the tentacles is up to 33 meters. Lion's mane is generally considered a moderately stinging jellyfish. The burns it inflicts are quite painful, and the toxins contained in the poison can cause a severe allergic reaction. However, the poison of this jellyfish is not fatal to humans.

Jellyfish Chrysaora Achlyos- one of the largest species of scyphoid jellyfish. The bell size is approximately 1 m in diameter, the tentacles can reach up to 6 m in length. It has the ability of a chameleon - changing color from bright red to black.

A new species of transparent jellyfish discovered in Antarctica. Its diameter is about 2.5 cm

These animals are 95% water, they have no brain and eat and defecate from the same canal, but jellyfish are equipped with surprisingly complex and effective weapons. Most species have stinging cells called nematocysts (cnidocysts). Before these cells release their sting, the internal pressure reaches up to a frightening 2000 psi (136 atmospheres) after which they crack, releasing their toxin like a harpoon. This is one of the fastest movements in nature and even faster than a bullet.

Although they have evolved to attack small fish, the sting of a jellyfish also plays a defensive role. Depending on the sting, toxicity to humans ranges from mild irritation to a potentially fatal condition where death can occur within minutes.

So, after much research and without further ado, we present to you the most dangerous jellyfish, known to man.

5. Sea Nettle (Chrysaora)

Photo. sea ​​nettle

Sea nettles are found along both coasts of North America. They appear to be most often seen near the Chesapeake Bay. Here they unite and form huge flowers (this is technical term for many jellyfish), which in summer months poses a threat to swimmers.

Large jellyfish reach up to 30 cm (1 ft) in diameter. They have 24 tentacles that reach over 2m (6ft) in length and are where the infamous stinging cells are found.

Touching sea nettle can be extremely painful and will leave a painful rash on the skin for about an hour. They are not dangerous at all, although it is very rarely necessary health care. There are reports that the bites of the more exotic Chrysaora species are more severe.

4.Cyanea capillata

Photo. Hairy cyanea

The hairy cyanea is the largest species of jellyfish known to man. In diameter it can reach up to 2.5 m (8 ft) or more, and with tentacles stretching over 30 m (100 ft), these jelly monsters can weigh about a quarter of a ton. They also gather in large flocks, which means their convergence on your local beach could seriously disrupt your holiday.

Hairy cyanea is a cold-water species and can be found throughout North Atlantic, including the UK. It may also be found in cold Australian waters, where some lifeguards allegedly wear tights to provide partial protection from bites.

The bite itself can be quite painful and many sources (including National Geographic) describe it as potentially fatal. It is known that, like most jellyfish, the sting remains active for a long time after the death of the jellyfish itself. In a recent incident on a beach in New Hampshire, USA, cyanea was cut by screws and individual tentacles reportedly stung 150 people.

3. Portuguese Man of War (Physalia physalis)

Photo. Portuguese man of war

To be honest, the Portuguese man-of-war or dung fly (physalia) is not a jellyfish. In fact, it is not even one animal. It is a colony of organisms working together in peace and harmony. The name comes from the air filling the bubble, which acts as a sail and a sail, and in the 17th century it reminded people of naval vessels, which is when it was called a warship.

In Australia it is called blue bottle because it is blue.

The ship is found in all of the world's oceans and has even been spotted as far north as Scotland, largely due to the warm Gulf Stream current.

Bite Portuguese man-of-war very painful, about 10,000 bites occur annually in Australia alone. The bite itself is characterized by a painful sensation, as if you were hit with a whip on the skin. This can last from one hour to several days. The main risk is the systemic effects of the poison. In severe cases, intense pain is followed by fever, shock and impaired heart and lung function, which can lead to death.

In August 2018, dozens of jellyfish were spotted on the beaches of the Indian city of Mumbai and stung more than 100 people on the beaches of Juhu and Aksa, causing panic and fear among people. The poisonous sting of the Portuguese man-of-war can kill fish, but not people. Some shopkeepers tried to help victims by rubbing lemon on the affected area for immediate relief. “You should pour a small amount of vinegar and hot water on the affected part,” State Fisheries Commissioner Arun Vidhale had said then.

2. Irukandji jellyfish (Carukia barnesi)

Photo. Irukandji jellyfish

Irukandji jellyfish are small in size, which is perfectly compensated by the strength of their poison. It got its name from the Irukandji, a tribe in Northern Australia where these jellyfish were first seen. However, this jellyfish is very widespread and can be found very far away, even in the British Isles.

At just 5 mm (0.2 ins) in diameter and with tentacles less than 1 mm, it is one of the smallest members of the order box jellyfish. The venom is insanely strong and is considered the most poisonous animal on earth, more than 100 times stronger than that of a cobra. In addition to this, the Irukandji jellyfish is unique in the structure of its stinging cells as well as its tentacles.

The only reason this animal is not at the top of the list is its small size. Despite this, its bite is without a doubt potentially fatal to humans. One bite will not kill unless appropriate treatment is given. Non-critical bites can lead to Irukandji syndrome, when symptoms such as excruciating cramps, severe back and kidney pain, burning of the skin and face, vomiting, headache and increased heart rate appear. Victims also described a “feeling of doom.” The good news is that the bite itself is not very painful!

1. Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri)

Photo. sea ​​wasp

It goes without saying that this is the most poisonous and deadly jellyfish found in Australia. The variety of box jellyfish, known as sea wasp or sea stinger, are widely considered to be one of the deadliest creatures on earth. Along with other box jellyfish, they are responsible for at least 5,568 officially recorded deaths since 1954. In Australia, these jellyfish kill 1 person every year and another 100 people in Southeast Asia.

The 15 tentacles can reach up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length and are each covered with about half a million poisonous microscopic stinging cells. Each animal is estimated to contain enough poison to kill 60 adults. The poison acts too quickly and can kill in a few minutes, causing cardiovascular failure. It also affects the nervous system and skin cells.

Video. Box jellyfish - Sea wasp

In fact, the sting has been compared to the touch of a red hot iron. It has also been reported that the pain can be so severe that it can lead to shock, followed by drowning or cardiac arrest. The pain may continue for several weeks and then leave scars on the body that resemble marks from a whip.

With 24 eyes, four brains and an impressive 60 anal regions (whatever those are), she is certainly an advanced and formidable creature.

The waters of the world's oceans are home to hundreds of various types jellyfish that surprise with their shapes and colors. Although most people are afraid of encountering them, jellyfish are a fairly popular dish in some cultures. Below is a list of the ten most beautiful jellyfish in the world.

Atoll jellyfish (Atolla jellyfish)

The Atoll Jellyfish is a fairly common species of deep-sea Coronomedus that lives in oceans and seas around the world. They have the ability to bioluminescence. When in danger, the Atoll jellyfish emits a riot of light pulses to attract large fish, which will become interested in the predator that attacked it. Typically have 23 tentacles, one of which is larger than the others, and is used by Atolla to capture prey.

Blue button

Blue button or Porpita porpita - marine organism, living in tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Passively drifts on the surface, feeding mainly on crustaceans and crustacean larvae. The blue button has one mouth located under the float, which is used for both food intake and waste. Despite the fact that the Blue Button looks like a jellyfish, it is not one. In fact, it is a colony of hydroid polyps.

Crossota Sp

Eighth in the list of the most beautiful jellyfish in the world is Crossota Sp, a deep-sea genus of jellyfish that includes five species. Widely distributed in all oceans of the planet.

Diplulmaris antarctica

Diplulmaris antarctica is a species of jellyfish found in the waters of Antarctica close to the surface. They grow up to 4 cm wide. They feed mainly on crustaceans, larvae of mollusks and fish.

Jelly Blubber

Jelly Blubber is a species of jellyfish found in coastal areas Indo-Pacific region. Most common on the east coast of Australia. It feeds mainly on plankton, small fish and some crustaceans. They grow up to 30–45 cm in diameter. Their bite can be painful, but usually does not pose a serious danger to humans.

Cannonball jellyfish

Cannonball jellyfish is a species of jellyfish that lives in warm waters in the northwestern and central-eastern Pacific, as well as the western Atlantic oceans. They feed mainly on zooplankton such as veligers. Their domed bell can reach 25 cm in diameter. Along the South Coast American state Georgia, these jellyfish are a valuable export that ends up on dinner tables in Asia.

Chrysaora colorata

Chrysaora colorata is a species of jellyfish found primarily off the coast of California in Monterey Bay. Their bell (body) reaches up to 70 cm in diameter. They feed on zooplankton, including crustaceans, fish larvae, etc. The bite of this jellyfish is extremely painful for humans.

Phyllorhiza punctata

Phyllorhiza punctata, also known as the floating bell, is a species of jellyfish widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean from Australia to Japan. They feed mainly on zooplankton. Their bell (body) averages 45–50 centimeters, but in October 2007, an individual whose bell was 72 cm wide was found on Sunset Beach, North Carolina.

Hairy cyanide is the largest known species of jellyfish, distributed in all northern seas of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Typically, these predators grow to 50–60 cm. However, the largest recorded individual was found in 1870 on the shores of Massachusetts Bay. Its body (bell) was 2.3 meters in diameter, its tentacles 37 meters. Cyanides prey on various planktonic organisms, as well as other jellyfish.

Chrysaora achlyos

Chrysaora achlyos is a species of jellyfish that lives in the waters of the Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay in the north to southern California and Mexico. Enough close-up view jellyfish can grow up to 1 meter. They are carnivores and typically feed on zooplankton and other jellyfish.

Share on social media networks

Jellyfish always attract our attention with their beauty and lightness. From time to time they use their protective poison, which can cause irritation and even kill a person. Jellyfish are found in all oceans and some freshwater lakes and rivers. In this collection we have collected the most beautiful jellyfish from all over the world.

Black sea nettle

Black sea nettle - giant jellyfish with a bell 3 feet in diameter. An adult can reach 5 meters and have 24 tentacles. This type of jellyfish was discovered in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. they are carnivores. They prefer larvae, plankton, and other jellyfish as food.

Medusa cannonball

Cannonball jellyfish lives along east coast USA to Brazil. It got its name because unusual shape perfectly smooth and round, like a cannonball. In Asian countries, these jellyfish are widely used in folk medicine. It is believed that they can cure lung disease, arthritis, and lower blood pressure.

Olindias formosa

This rare view jellyfish are found off the coast of Brazil, Argentina, and Japan. A characteristic feature of these jellyfish is that they hang on great depth. When the jellyfish is in this state, its tentacles are concentrated under the cap. Due to the small number this type does not pose a danger to people, but we should not forget that they can leave very severe burns.

Portuguese man of war

This amazing creature differs from all jellyfish in that it consists of many medusoid individuals. It has a gas bubble that floats on the surface of the water, which allows it to absorb air. The tentacles of the Portuguese man-of-war can reach 50 meters when extended.

Purple striped jellyfish

This type of jellyfish can be found in Monterrey Bay. They are not yet well studied. This jellyfish has quite big sizes and can cause serious burns to humans. Stripes and rich colors appear in jellyfish as they age. Along the way warm currents The jellyfish may also migrate to the shores of Southern California. This was especially noticeable in 2012, when 130 people received burns from jellyfish (black sea nettle and purple striped one).

blue jellyfish

The blue jellyfish has very stinging tentacles. It has been discovered off the coast of Scotland, in the North Sea and in the Irish Sea. The average transverse diameter of this jellyfish is 15 centimeters. Color varies from dark blue to bright blue.

Porpit porpit

It's not really a jellyfish. This creature is more commonly known as the blue button. The porpet lives on the surface of the ocean and consists of two parts: a hard golden-brown float and hydroid colonies, which in appearance are very similar to the tentacles of a jellyfish. Porpita can easily be confused with a jellyfish.

Diplulmaris Antarctica

This magnificent creature lives in the deep waters of Antarctica and has four bright orange tentacles as well as white tentacles. The small white dots on the jellyfish are side-spreads. They live inside the jellyfish and sometimes even feed on it.

Mediterranean or jellyfish fried egg

This amazing creature really resembles a fried egg, or poached egg. Jellyfish live in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Her important feature it is believed that she can move independently without relying on waves.

Interesting things on the web

One of the most mysterious inhabitants of the deep sea, arousing interest and a certain fear, jellyfish can rightly be called. Who are they, where did they come from, what varieties are there in the world, what is their life cycle, are they as dangerous as popular rumor says - I want to know about all this for sure.

Jellyfish appeared more than 650 million years ago, making them one of the oldest organisms on Earth.

About 95% of the jellyfish's body is water, which is also their habitat. Most jellyfish live in salt water, although there are species that prefer fresh water. Jellyfish are the “sea jelly” phase of the life cycle of members of the genus Medusozoa, alternating with the stationary asexual phase of nonmotile polyps, from which they are formed by budding after maturation.

The name was introduced in the 18th century by Carl Linnaeus, who saw in these strange organisms a certain resemblance to the mythical Gorgon Medusa, due to the presence of tentacles that flutter like hair. With their help, the jellyfish catches small organisms that serve as food for it. The tentacles may look like long or short, pointed threads, but they are all equipped with stinging cells that stun prey and make hunting easier.

Life cycle of scyphoids: 1-11 - asexual generation (polyp); 11-14 - sexual generation (jellyfish).

Glowing jellyfish

The one who saw it glow on a dark night sea ​​water, he is unlikely to be able to forget this spectacle: myriads of lights illuminate deep sea, shimmer like diamonds. The reason for this amazing phenomenon The smallest planktonic organisms, including jellyfish, serve. The phosphoric jellyfish is considered one of the most beautiful. It is not found very often, living in the benthic zone near the coasts of Japan, Brazil, and Argentina.

The diameter of the luminous jellyfish umbrella can reach 15 centimeters. Living in the dark depths, jellyfish are forced to adapt to conditions, provide themselves with food, so as not to disappear altogether as a species. An interesting fact is that the bodies of jellyfish do not have muscle fibers and cannot resist water flows.

Since the slow jellyfish, swimming at the will of the current, cannot keep up with mobile crustaceans, small fish or other planktonic inhabitants, they have to use a trick and force them to swim up to the predatory mouth opening. And the best bait in the darkness of the bottom space is light.

The body of a luminous jellyfish contains a pigment - luciferin, which is oxidized under the influence of a special enzyme - luciferase. The bright light attracts victims like moths to a candle flame.

Some types glowing jellyfish, such as Rathkeya, Equorea, Pelagia live at the surface of the water, and, gathering in large quantities, they literally make the sea burn. The amazing ability to emit light has interested scientists. Phosphors have been successfully isolated from the genome of jellyfish and introduced into the genomes of other animals. The results turned out to be quite unusual: for example, mice whose genotype was changed in this way began to grow green hairs.

Poisonous jellyfish - Sea Wasp

Today, more than three thousand jellyfish are known, and many of them are far from harmless to humans. All types of jellyfish have stinging cells “charged” with poison. They help to paralyze the victim and deal with him without any problems. Without exaggeration, for divers, swimmers, and fishermen, a jellyfish called the Sea Wasp is represented. The main habitat of such jellyfish is warm tropical waters, there are especially many of them off the coast of Australia and Oceania.

Transparent bodies of pale blue color are invisible in the warm water of quiet sandy bays. The small size, namely, up to forty centimeters in diameter, also does not attract much attention. Meanwhile, the poison of one individual is enough to send about fifty people to heaven. Unlike their phosphorescent counterparts, sea ​​wasps can change direction of movement, easily finding careless swimmers. The poison that enters the victim’s body causes paralysis of smooth muscles, including respiratory tract. Being in shallow water, a person has a small chance of being saved, but even if medical assistance was provided in a timely manner and the person did not die from suffocation, deep ulcers form at the sites of the “bites”, causing severe pain and not healing for many days.

Dangerous little ones - Irukandji jellyfish

Tiny Irukandji jellyfish, described by Australian Jack Barnes in 1964, have a similar effect on the human body, with the only difference being that the degree of damage is not so deep. He, as a true scientist who stands up for science, experienced the effect of poison not only on himself, but also on own son. Symptoms of poisoning are severe headache and muscle pain, convulsions, nausea, drowsiness, loss of consciousness - are not fatal in themselves, but the main risk is a sharp increase blood pressure from a man who personally met Irukandji. If the victim has problems with the cardiovascular system, then the likelihood fatal outcome quite big. The size of this baby is about 4 centimeters in diameter, but its thin spindle-shaped tentacles reach 30-35 centimeters in length.

Bright beauty - Physalia jellyfish

Another very dangerous inhabitant of tropical waters for humans is Physalia - the Sea Boat. Her umbrella is colored bright colors: blue, violet, purple and floats on the surface of the water, so it is visible from afar. Entire colonies of attractive sea “flowers” ​​attract gullible tourists, beckoning them to pick them up as quickly as possible. This is where the main danger lurks: long, up to several meters, tentacles equipped with a huge amount stinging cells. The poison acts very quickly, causing severe burns, paralysis and disruption of the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous systems. If the meeting took place at great depth or simply far from the shore, then its outcome could be the saddest.

Giant Jellyfish Nomura - Lion's Mane

The real giant is the Nomura Bell, also called Lion's mane for some external resemblance to the king of beasts. The diameter of the dome can reach two meters, and the weight of such a “baby” reaches two hundred kilos. It lives in the Far East, in the coastal waters of Japan, off the coast of Korea and China.

A huge hairy ball, falling into fishing nets, damages them, causing damage to fishermen and striking them themselves when they try to free themselves. Even if their venom is not fatal to humans, meetings with the “Lion’s Mane” rarely take place in a friendly atmosphere.

Cyanea is considered one of the largest jellyfish. Living in cold waters, it reaches largest sizes. The most gigantic specimen was discovered and described by scientists at the end of the 19th century in North America: its dome was 230 centimeters in diameter, and the length of the tentacles turned out to be 36.5 meters. There are a lot of tentacles, they are collected in eight groups, each of which has from 60 to 150 pieces. It is characteristic that the dome of the jellyfish is divided into eight segments, representing a kind of octagonal star. Fortunately, they do not live in the Azov and Black Seas, so you don’t have to worry about them when going to the sea to relax.

Depending on the size, the color also changes: large specimens are painted bright purple or purple, smaller ones - in orange, pink or beige. Cyaneans live in surface waters, rarely descending into the depths. The poison is not dangerous to humans, causing only an unpleasant burning sensation and blisters on the skin.

Using jellyfish in cooking

The number of jellyfish living in the seas and oceans Globe truly enormous, and not a single species is in danger of extinction. Their use is limited by mining capabilities, but people have long been using beneficial features jellyfish for medicinal purposes and enjoy them taste qualities in cooking. In Japan, Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries, jellyfish have long been eaten, calling them “crystal meat”. Its benefits are due to the high content of protein, albumin, vitamins and amino acids, and microelements. And when properly prepared, it has a very refined taste.

Jellyfish “meat” is added to salads and desserts, sushi and rolls, soups and main courses. In a world where population growth steadily threatens the onset of famine, especially in underdeveloped countries, protein from jellyfish can become good help in resolving this issue.

Jellyfish in medicine

The use of jellyfish for the manufacture of medicines is typical, to a greater extent, in those countries where their use as food has long ceased to be a subject of surprise. For the most part, these are countries located in coastal areas where jellyfish are directly harvested.

In medicine, preparations containing processed jellyfish bodies are used to treat infertility, obesity, baldness and gray hair. The poison extracted from stinging cells helps to cope with diseases of the ENT organs and normalize blood pressure.

Modern scientists are struggling to find medicine, capable of defeating cancerous tumors, without excluding the possibility that jellyfish will also help in this difficult fight.