Few marine creatures are as mysterious and intimidating as jellyfish. Though easily recognized, this animal is often misunderstood. Bathers and beachcombers react with fear upon encountering this invertebrate but, in fact, most jellyfish in South Carolina waters are harmless.
Jellyfish are members of the phylum Cnidaria. Members of this structurally
simple marine group possess one of two body forms. Sea anemones, sea whips,
corals and hydroids are polyps growing attached to rocks or other hard surfaces
of the sea. Jellyfish and the Portuguese man-of- war are free-swimming medusae.
Both body forms display radial symmetry with body parts radiating from a central
axis. This symmetry allows jellyfish to respond to food or danger from any direction.
Instead of a brain, "true" jellyfish possess an elementary nervous system, or nerve net, which consists of receptors capable of detecting light, odor and other stimuli and coordinating appropriate responses.
Jellyfish are composed of an outer layer (epidermis) which covers the external body surface and an inner layer (gastrodermis) which lines the gut. Between the epidermis and gastrodermis is a layer of thick elastic jellylike substance called mesoglea ("middle jelly"). Jellyfish have a simple digestivecavity (coelenteron) which acts as a gullet, stomach and intestine with one opening for the mouth and anus. Four to eight oral arms are located near the mouth and are used to transport food that has been captured by the tentacles.
Jellyfish occur in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Most are semi-transparent or glassy and bell-shaped, measuring less than an inch to over a foot across the bell, although some may reach 7 feet. The tentacles of some jellyfish can reach lengths greater than 100 feet. Regardless of their size or shape, most jellyfish are very fragile, often containing less than 5% solid organic matter.
Jellyfish inhabit every major oceanic area of the world and are capable of withstanding a wide range of temperatures and salinities. Most live in shallow coastal waters, but a few inhabit depths of 12,000 feet!
The life cycle of a typical jellyfish involves an alteration of generations
in which the animal passes through two different body forms. The dominant and
conspicuous medusa is the familiar form, while the smaller polyp form is restricted
to the larval stage. Jellyfish are either male or
female and reproduce sexually. The reproductive organs (gonads) develop in the
lining of the gut. During reproduction, the male releases sperm through its
mouth into the water column. The sperm swims into the mouth of the female where
fertilizationoccurs. Early embryonic development begins either inside the female
or in brood pouches along the oral arms. Small swimming larvae (planula) leave
the mouth or brood pouches and enter the water column. The larvae then seek
a shaded surface and attach to the bottom, forming polyps. These polyps divide
and bud into young jellyfish (ephyra). In a few weeks, an ephyra will grow into
an adult medusa, thus completing the complex life cycle. Jellyfish normally
live three to six months.
The adult jellyfish drifts in the water with limited control over its movements. It is, however, endowed with muscles that allow it to contract its bell, reducing the space under it, forcing water out through the opening. This pulsating rhythm allows for some regulation of vertical movement. Because jellyfish are sensitive to light, this vertical movement can be important. Some jellyfish, like the sea wasp, descend to deeper waters during the bright sun of the midday and surface during early morning, late afternoon and evenings. Despite this ability to move vertically, jellyfish depend upon ocean currents, tides and wind for horizontal movement.
Jellyfish may appear to have no apparent value, but they are, in fact, a very important part of the marine food web. Jellyfish are carnivorous, feeding mostly on a variety of zooplankton, comb jellies and occasionally other jellyfish. Larger species, however, are capable of capturing and devouring large crustaceans and other marine organisms. Jellyfish themselves are preyed upon by spadefish, sunfish, loggerhead turtles and other marine organisms. One species, the mushroom jelly, is even considered a delicacy by humans. Both fresh and pickled mushroom jellyfish are consumed in large quantities in China and Japan.
Although most jellyfish that inhabit South Carolina waters are harmless to humans, there are a few, like the sea wasp, that require caution. Learning how to identify the different species can help you decide which ones can be safely ignored.
Also know as jellyballs, these jellyfish are the most common in our area.
During the summer and fall, large numbers of Stomolophus appear near the
coast and in the months of estuaries. They are considered to be pests by
commercial trawl fishermen because they clog and damage nets and slow sorting
and trawl times. Fortunately, while the cannonball is the most abundant
jellyfish in the area, it is also one of the least venomous. Cannonballs can be
identified by their hemispherical white bells decorated with rich, chocolate
brown bands. They have no tentacle but a gristle-like feeding apparatus formed
by the joining of the oral arms. Cannonballs rarely grow larger than 8 inches in
diameter.
The mushroom jelly is often mistaken for the cannonball jelly, but it differs in many ways. The larger mushroom jelly, growing to 20 inches in diameter, lacks the brown bands associated with the cannonball and is much flatter and softer. Like the cannonball, the mushroom has no tentacles, however, it possesses long finger-like appendages hanging from the feeding apparatus. The mushroom jelly does not represent a hazard to humans.
Probably the most widely recognized jellyfish, the moon jelly is relatively infrequent in South Carolina waters. It has a transparent, saucer-shaped bell and is easily identified by the four pink horseshoe-shaped gonads visible through the bell. It typically reaches 6-8 inches in diameter, but some are known to exceed 20 inches. The moon jelly is only slightly venomous. Contact can produce symptoms from immediate prickly sensations to mild burning. Pain is usually restricted to immediate area of contact.
Also know as the winter jelly, the lion's mane typically appears during colder months of the year. The bell, measuring 6-8 inches, is saucer-shaped with reddish brown oral arms and eight clusters of tentacles hanging underneath. Cyanea are generally considered moderate stingers. Symptoms are similar to those of the moon jelly, however, usually more intense. Pain is relatively mild and often described as burning rather than stinging.
The sea nettle is frequently observed in South Carolina waters during summer months. This jellyfish is saucer- shaped with brown or red pigments, usually 6-8 inches in diameter. Four oral arms and long marginal tentacles hang from the bell. Considered moderate to severe, symptoms from sea nettle stings are similar to those of the lion's mane.
Known as the box jelly because of its cube-shaped bell, the sea wasp is the most venomous jellyfish inhabiting our waters. Their potent sting can cause severe dermatitis and may even require hospitalization. Sea wasps are strong, graceful swimmers reaching 5-6 inches in diameter and 4-6 inches in height. Several long tentacles hang from the four corners of the cube. A similar species, the four-tentacledTamoya haplonema, also occurs in our waters.
Although a member of the phylum Cnidaria, the Portuguese man-of-war is not
a "true" jellyfish. These animals consist of a complex colony of individual
members,
including a float, modified feeding polyps and reproductive medusae. Physalia
typically inhabit the warm waters of the tropics, sub-tropics and Gulf Stream.
Propelled by wind and ocean currents, they sometimes drift into nearshore waters
of South Carolina. Though they infrequently visit our coast, swimmers should
learn to identify these highly venomous creatures. The gas-filled float of the
man-of-war is purple-blue and can reach lengths of 12 inches. Under thefloat,
tentacles equipped with thousands of nematocysts hang from the feeding polyps
extending up to 65 feet.
The man-of-war can inflict extremely painful stings. Symptoms include severe
shooting pain described as a shocklike sensation, and intense joint and muscle
pain. Pain may be accompanied by headaches, shock, collapse, faintness,
hysteria, chills, fever, nausea and vomiting. Initial contact with
Physalia may result in only a small number of stings. However, efforts to
escape from the tentacles may further discharge nematocysts and intensify
stings. Care should be taken when removing the adhering tentacles. Severe stings
can occur even when the animal is beached or dead.
Primary first aid for any jellyfish sting should be to minimize the number of nematocysts discharging into the skin and to reduce the harmful effects of the venom. If stung by a jellyfish, the victim should carefully remove the tentacles that adhere to the skin by using sand, clothing, towels, seaweed or other available materials. As long as tentacles remain on the skin, they will continue to discharge venom.
A variety of substances have been used to reduce the effects of jellyfish stings. Meat tenderizer, sugar, vinegar, plant juices and sodium bicarbonate have all been used with varying degrees of success. Methylated spirits and other forms of alcohol formerly recommended for inhibiting stinging cells actually stimulate them and may increase pain and cause severe skin reactions. Picric acid and human urine also cause a discharge of nematocysts and should not be used. Victims of serious stings should make every effort to get out of the water as soon as possible to avoid drowning. If swelling and pain from more serious stings persists, prompt medical attention should be sought. Recovery periods can vary from several minutes to several weeks.
Care should be taken when swimming in areas where dangerous jellies are known to exist or when an abundance of jellies of any type is present. Keep in mind that tentacles of some species may trail a great distance from the body of the organism and should be given lots of room. Stings, resulting from remnants of damaged tentacles, can occur in waters after heavy storms. Rubber skindiving suits offer protection against most contact.
Be careful when investigating jellyfish that have washed ashore. Although they may be dead, they may still be capable of inflicting stings. Remember to take precautions when removing tentacles after contact or additional stings may result.