Giant Jellyfish [Keesingia gigas]
Description
Keesingia gigas, commonly known as the giant jellyfish, is a species of Irukandji jellyfish. It is one of the largest species in the Irukandji family, reaching lengths of up to 50 cm, excluding the tentacles. The box-shaped bell is transparent, making the jellyfish difficult to see in the water. The unusual thing about this species is that no specimens have been found with tentacles, which is unique among the Cubozoa. The species is believed to inhabit the coastal waters of Western Australia. Like all Irukandji jellyfish, Keesingia gigas is capable of delivering a potent and potentially fatal sting.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Box Jellyfish and Sea Wasps
Cubozoa
|
| Order |
Box jellyfishes
Carybdeida
|
| Family |
Alatinidae
Alatinidae
|
| Genus |
Keesingia
Keesingia
|