Gershwin, L.A. (2008). Morbakka fenneri, a new genus and species of Irukandji jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature, 54(1): 23-33.

130490

Gershwin, L. A.

2008

54(1): 23-33

Publication

A cubozoan jellyfish, Morbakka fenneri gen. nov., sp. nov. is described. Morbakka differs from other genera and species in the Carybdeida by having a large, warty body; flat, ribbon-shaped tentacles; a prominent upward-pointing ‘thorn’ at the bend of the pedalial canal, and conspicuous broadening of the canal where it meets the tentacle; frown-shaped or dumbbell-shaped rhopalial niche ostium; long, straight, rabbit-ear shaped rhopalial horns; lack of non-lensed eye spots on the rhopalia; and three types of tentacular nematocysts and two types of bell nematocysts. Its morphology, genetics and sting symptoms clearly put it in the Irukandji group (i.e., Carukia, Malo, Gerongia), most closely related to Gerongia rifkinae. A larger northern Queensland form, and a smaller New South Wales form of Morbakka may also prove to be specifically distinct. Morbakka has been associated with severe Irukandji syndrome.

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