User:Jack.chaput/Box jellyfish

Genetics[edit]
Box jellyfish posses a mitochondrial genome that is arranged into eight linear chromosomes.

As of 2022, only two Cubozoan species were fully sequenced, Alatina alata and Morbakka virulenta. A.alata has 66,156 genes, the largest gene count for any Medusozoan. The mitochondrial genome of box jellyfish is uniquely structured into multiple linear fragments.

Each one of the eight linear chromosomes posses between one to four genes including two extra genes. These two extra genes (mt-polB and orf314) encode proteins. There are only a few studies that have been completed involving the research of mitochondrial gene expression in box jellyfish.

Danger to humans[edit]
Out of all Cubozoans, the box jellyfish are known to be the biggest as well as the most dangerous. Box jellyfish have been long known for their powerful sting. The lethality of the Cubozoan venom to humans is the primary reason for its research.

Although unspecified species of box jellyfish have been called in newspapers "the world's most venomous creature" and the deadliest creature in the sea, only a few species in the class have been confirmed to be involved in human deaths. Some species are not harmful to humans, possibly delivering a sting that is no more than painful.^

When the venom of the box jelly fish was sequenced, it was found that more than 170 toxin proteins were identified. The high quantity of toxin proteins that the box jellyfish posses is the reason they are known to be so dangerous. Stings from the box jellyfish can lead to skin irritation, cardiotoxicity, and can even be fatal.