A few researchers in IZ have begun a new citizen science project that seeks to accumulate information on a venmous/dangerous box jellyfish. We are particularly interested in the geographical distribution and seasonality of the species Alatina alata in the Caribbean, and because citizen science is becoming increasingly essential and important for documenting biodiversity, we are seeking input from the public.
In order to collect information, we have established the "That's alata Jellyfish" Facebook page and associated Survey. (Bad pun, yes we know.) Now that the Facebook page and Survey are set up, we will be contacting 100's of Dive operators throughout the Caribbean to find out if they, or their patrons, have encountered Alatina alata.
Our FAQ covers a variety of questions that one might have about this project.
The "That's alata jellyfish" project was started in June 2014 by a small team at the Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History consisting of an intern (Piangfan Naksukpaiboon), a Ph.D. Candidate (Cheryl Lewis Ames), a NOAA Zoologist and SI-NMNH Curator of medusozoans and glass sponges (Allen G. Collins), a Science Educator (William "Bud" Gillan), and a University of Hawaii biochemist (Angel Yanagihara). We are asking the public to use social media outlets (Facebook and Survey Monkey) to report sightings of the box jellyfish Alatina alata in the Atlantic Ocean as part of a citizen science campaign.
We are particularly interested in the geographical distribution and seasonality of the species Alatina alata in the Caribbean (pictures shown on the webpage). The species is known to form reproductive aggregations in some localities, but the number and distribution of these localities are unknown. We are also teaming up with Jellywatch.org and the Jellyfish Database Initiative to provide data for their global jellyfish initiatives.
Please report sightings using this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/22ft2g2. You can also report directly to our Facebook page. If you do, please include locality, date, time of day and water conditions. We will update the Facebook page regularly with a map of sightings so you can see your report on the map.
Yes.
Citizen science, also referred to as crowd sourcing, is becoming increasingly essential and important for documenting biodiversity. By involving the public (e.g., volunteers, students, naturalists, as well as non-specialists) to gather data, datasets become more complete than those generated through individual sampling efforts. The use of the internet and social media allows marine biologists on opposite sides of massive ocean basins to collaborate to answer big-picture questions, such as the one we are seeking to answer on Alatina alata ecology and biogeography.
Hopefully the data can eventually be used as part of a scientific publication on the ecology and distribution of Alatina alata. The data can also be used to guide future sampling efforts aimed at understanding the genetic connectivity of different Alatina alata populations.
We will acknowledge your assistance by posting your name under the list of contributors on the "That's alata jellyfish" Facebook page, unless you wish to remain anonymous. Your participation is greatly appreciated and you will know that you were part of a large effort building knowledge that could only be achieved through collaboration.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the mildest box jellyfish sting (e.g., from the tiny Copula sivickisi), and 10 representing the "deadly" Chironex fleckeri from Australia, and its smaller cousin Chironex yamaguchii from Okinawa and the Philippines, A. alata would rate rather high on this scale, anywhere from 7-9 in terms of pain and debilitation. Presently, there are no reports of death due to a sting by Alatina alata in the literature. Nevertheless, many people have become very sick (e.g., welts, difficulty breathing, muscle fatigue, heavy sweat, unconsciousness, vomiting), and death due to drowning and sting-related complications is certainly conceivable. It appears that different people exhibit different symptoms in response to a sting by Alatina alata, from a fiery sting with lasting mild itch to extensive problems resulting in hospitalization.
All jellyfish have stinging cells, called nematocytes. These cells are equipped with microscopic capsular organelles, nematocysts, that contain hypodermic needle-like tubules that inject venom into prey and potential predators, including beachgoers. Some factors affecting the degree and severity of pain experienced are related to the age and health of the sting victim, part of the body that is stung and amount of contact with jellyfish tentacles (containing most of the stinging cells), the types of venom proteins in the sting, and the immediate treatment following the sting.
If you or anyone else you know is stung, immediately notify beach staff and seek potential help (e.g., Emergency Medical Technicians).
DO NOT try to remove the tentacles using your bare hand.
DO NOT pour freshwater (i.e., tap water) over the sting or the sting area! Both can cause increased firing of nematocysts.
DO NOT administer an epinephrine autoinjector (e.g., EpiPen)!
DO splash on a large volume of seawater to knock off any remaining tentacle bits, or pour acetic acid (household strength white vinegar if necessary) over the wound to help deactivate the stinging cells and prevent further stinging. Any remaining tentacles should be picked off using forceps, if available, or scraped off with something rigid, such as a card. Alternatively, carefully pluck tentacles off with a gloved hand or a hand wrapped in a thin towel.
NEVER rub the wound with anything, as that can discharge any nematocysts that are still on the skin. A hot water bath has been shown to be the most effective treatment of pain for box jellyfish stings. If problems with breathing occur, call 911 or other local emergency number!
All box jellyfish should be treated as potentially dangerous. Stay calm and take a slow look around you (underwater) to see if there are any others in the vicinity. If your skin is not very well covered, for instance with a lycra suit, you might consider checking to see if the path is clear for you to swim back to shore. If box jellyfish surround you, make the easiest and safest get-away by avoiding contact with the trailing tentacles (which are often faintly pink or purple). Immediately notify others and/or any lifeguards or beach staff of the sighting.
No. Even if the jellyfish appears dead (no movement seen), jellyfish nematocysts, the stinging organelles, could still be active for at least 24 hours after it washes up on the beach.
NOTE: There is a risk whenever beachgoers handle jellyfish. When disturbed, even jellyfish with mild stings can release a large amount of venom and/or undischarged nematocysts into the water, which can cause irritation or a more severe reaction. If you need to remove a jellyfish from a play area on the beach, wearing gloves would be a good idea, being careful not to get any of the tentacles on any part of your body. Then cover the area where the jellyfish lay with a pile of sand. Place the jellyfish in a bucket with a little bit of seawater. Dispose in a safe locality, rinse the bucket multiple times with saltwater, and finally soak in hot water with a strong household detergent.
Read a recent publication by our group on Alatina alata from the Caribbean Island Bonaire. Photos of live and preserved museum specimens can be found in the document.
If you have any further questions regarding box jellyfish or this survey please visit us at https://www.facebook.com/AlataJellyfish or e-mail Allen Collins (CollinsA@si.edu), Cheryl Lewis Ames (AmesC@si.edu), Angel Yanagihara (ayanagih@hawaii.edu), and/or Bud (bud13@earthlink.net).
Yes, absolutely! We are particularly interested in sightings of Alatina anywhere in the world, as well as any other box jellies (class Cubozoa). Feel free to leave us messages about those. In addition, remember that you can contribute to worldwide knowledge of jellies by contributing your sightings to JellyWatch.org.
by the "That's alata Jellyfish" Team
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