A jellyfish sting is very unpleasant and cruel. Jellyfish are armed with nematocysts. Upon contact with the tentacle, millions of nematocysts penetrate the skin and inject venom. But only the venom of some species causes an adverse reaction in humans.

The effects range from mild discomfort to severe pain and death. Most jellyfish stings are not fatal, but box jellyfish (Irukandji jellyfish), such as sea wasps, can become lethal by causing anaphylaxis (a form of shock). In the Philippines alone, jellyfish kill between 20 and 40 people a year.

Peculiarities

The Portuguese man-of-war has a close resemblance to the jellyfish and is actually a siphonophore. It is essentially a colony of tiny individual organisms working in tandem as a “single” organism (kind of like coral reefs).

Their tentacles can grow up to 50 meters long, longer than a blue whale!

In most cases, the jellyfish sting itself is not fatal, although the venom sometimes interferes with the functioning of the heart or lungs, and can potentially lead to death.

Most Portuguese man-of-war sting deaths are actually caused by the swimmer panicking and drowning while trying to swim to shore.

These ocean dwellers cannot move on their own. They are swimming in large groups, where the wind and currents accept them.

Dangerous, but very beautiful

If you were asked to talk about the most dangerous animals on earth, you would probably start the story by describing stereotypical killing machines such as lions, tigers, bears (ouch!), sharks, crocodiles, alligators, other large animals with scary teeth and claws.

Because these animals have long been associated with danger and, of course, they should be taken seriously. Nature, however, is complex. Not all dangers are obvious.

In fact, many of the most dangerous animals on earth you wouldn't even think to be afraid of until it's too late.

Claws, razor-sharp teeth are certainly scary, but Mother Nature has provided some sea creatures much less obvious weapons, also deadly (if not more): poisons and toxins.

There are countless animals that release toxins into their victims in order to incapacitate them.

For some it is a way to obtain prey, others use it as a means of self-defense. Either way, the results for the victim are the same - excruciating pain and death.

Portuguese man-of-war, physalia, bluebottle jellyfish are the most famous names this jellyfish. Lives in warm waters (Florida, Cuba, Mediterranean Sea, Australia, Japan). Often the Gulf Stream brings them to the shores of England and France. When they accumulate off the coasts of England and France or, for example, near the beaches of Florida, television, radio and the press warn the population of the danger.

Jellyfish are poisonous even when washed ashore. The shoots reach a length of up to 10 meters (which is like a thread in the sand).
The "Portuguese man-of-war" got its name from its multi-colored swim bladder, which is shaped like the sail of a medieval Portuguese sailing vessel. The lower part of the bubble is blue, and the upper is bright red, while the bubble constantly shimmers with purple colors. The bell of this jellyfish shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow from blue to purple, similar to a rubber cap.

Beauty, however, is deceiving.
Many people mistakenly attribute "Portuguese man-of-war" to jellyfish. In fact, they belong to the order of siphonophores ("siphonophora physalia"), which can only move under the influence of wind and water currents. The length of the Portuguese Man of War tentacles can reach 50 meters, and contact with them can be fatal.

The poison of the "ships" is very dangerous. Allergy sufferers are especially affected by it, who are advised to immediately consult a doctor in case of contact with physalia, otherwise the matter may end in death. The most common consequence of contact with a “ship” is long-term pain at the burn site and inflammation of the wound. A person may develop nausea, chills, and heart pain.
If a person touches it, blisters will appear on the skin like a burn. It will hurt for about 5 hours. Wiping off the mucus will not help, on the contrary, it will only get worse.
Doctors strongly advise not to wash off the poison of the "Portuguese Man of Man" fresh water because it will only make the pain worse. A reliable remedy that will relieve an unpleasant burning sensation is three percent vinegar, which should be moistened with the affected areas.
The general condition will also worsen and will last for several days. When you see this beauty in the water, immediately swim as far away from it as possible. Turtles feed on these jellyfish.

In any case, if you feel a sharp pain, as if from a whiplash or electric shock, you can safely scream. Firstly, from surprise, and secondly, you may urgently need help. Physalia venom is very close in its effect to cobra venom. The introduction of even a small dose under the skin of laboratory animals ended tragically for them. If you are allergic, then help should be immediate; if not, then you should still be prepared for some unpleasant consequences.

First of all, quite long-term pain at the burn site followed by inflammation of the wound. Muscle twitching, chills, nausea, vomiting may develop, all of which can result in pain in the heart. Our famous traveler Yuri Senkevich described his condition after contact with the “ship” as severe and quite long-lasting. And the worst thing is that sea water then irritates the wound for a long time, and if such a nuisance happened in the first days of rest, then only you can decide what to do. The only thing we can safely advise is to consult a doctor, and not be content with the ointments that will be offered to you at the hotel (along with sympathetic glances).

In the event that you are not vacationing on a vacation package, and for some reason you do not have insurance, do not despair. In most countries there are free hospitals, and some of them give a head start to Russian paid ones. And no insurance is required, which is interesting.

Dangerous Beauty
So, burns are not always fatal, although the Portuguese man-of-war is considered the second most dangerous jellyfish in the world (in the strict sense of the word, it is not exactly a jellyfish, but a whole colony of one or two hundred jellyfish and polyps).
A doctor is desirable, or rather, even mandatory, to relieve intoxication and infection. The mark remains, perhaps, for life, but fades and fades over the years... And who knows, maybe it will become a wonderful memory, or, perhaps, a source of some pride for you?

Even if you are an excellent swimmer, water is always not the most native element for a person. Of course, you shouldn’t be afraid and get lost in it; you just need to strive to love, know and understand it. Like many other things in life, probably.

There are many poisonous animals and microorganisms in the world. Often they seem beautiful and you just want to touch them. One of these interesting creatures globe is a physalia that is found in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. They can be found even in the English Channel. In its appearance, it is very reminiscent of jellyfish, which are found in abundance in the seas of our country.

Physalia - jellyfish or not?

Physalia is a colonial hydroid from the order Siphonophora. Outwardly it is very similar to a jellyfish, but it is not one. It belongs to another group of invertebrate organisms - siphonophores.

In total, there are about 160 species of this order in the world, which live mainly in tropical waters. Physalia jellyfish It is one of the species that are dangerous to humans and can even lead to death.

Physalia - danger, poison

The usual size of physalia is up to approximately 35 centimeters, while the stinging tentacles, which contain stinging cells, can reach incredible sizes - up to 50 meters. It is these cells that are the most dangerous in the colony. Their venom is close in composition to cobra venom and can cause fever, shock, and difficulty breathing in people.

A person exposed to poison in water may drown from painful shock or loss of consciousness. They are dangerous because they move in large colonies that can easily devastate everything in their path.

Physalia: description of the Portuguese boat

Physalia is named after Dr. Marie Physalix, who first discovered and described it. Physalia (Portuguese man-of-war) consists of two sections: siphosomes and pneumatophores.

Pneumatophore - a bubble filled with atmospheric air, which allows the body to stay on the surface. If necessary, excess air is removed and the poisonous physalia is immersed in water. Groups of zooids extend from the pneumatophore, which are divided into 3 types:

Their main diet consists of small fish, larvae and squid. Physalia itself makes up the diet of some of the sea turtles and shellfish.
The lifespan of an individual is several months. Reproduces jellyfish physalia in an asexual way. Physalia moves with the help of wind and current. However, with the help of the siphosome, it serves as a rudder and is able to regulate the direction of movement of the colony and move even against the wind.

Poisonous physalia in Phuket

They are found mainly in large groups numbering thousands of individuals. The jellyfish's pneumatophore resembles a small sail, which is why it is often called the Portuguese man-of-war. This name was given by sailors back in the 18th century.
Physalia are found in tropical seas and are often found in the vicinity of Phuket and neighboring beaches, where they are brought by the monsoons that blow from May to October in those parts. At this time, it is more dangerous than the garbage dumped into the sea, which then forms in.

In September-October 2016, 4 beaches in Phuket were even closed for 2 weeks. This was due to the fact that they were discovered in large quantities– more than 400 individuals. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The photo shows the habitat of physalia.

Physalia poison: how to protect yourself

In case of contact with physalia, it is recommended to see a doctor. There is a lot of conflicting advice regarding first aid for a burn. This could be a rinse. sea water, vinegar, hot water followed by application of ice.

If physalia were found on the surrounding beaches, it is recommended to refrain from swimming during this period. They often wash up on the shore, so you should carefully walk along the beaches so as not to fall on one of them. Even separately lying tentacles are dangerous, also causing burns.

Poisonous physalia. Photo: Shutterstock.com

In Thailand, on the island of Phuket, three popular beaches - Naithon, Nai Yang and Layan - were closed for swimming. The reason for the emergency measure was the invasion of poisonous physalia, the bite of which is dangerous to humans.

Physalia, or, as it is also called, the Portuguese man-of-war, is a close relative of the jellyfish, but it is not a real jellyfish. Physalia belong to very primitive invertebrate organisms - siphonophores. In fact, it is a floating colony consisting of many polyps that perform a specific role. Some get food, others process it, others are responsible for reproduction, and others are responsible for protection. All polyps together are a whole organism.

The most common type of physalia is the Portuguese man-of-war. It received this name because of its bright color and shape, reminiscent of the sail of a medieval Portuguese ship. Short digestive organs, gastrozoids, hang down from the gas-filled swim bladder. Behind them are located spirally...

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An amazingly beautiful creation of nature - the Portuguese man-of-war (physalia) - is as dangerous as it is attractive. To avoid getting burned, it is better to admire it from a distance.

And, one might say, there is something to admire: above the surface of the water, the “sail”, similar to those that adorned medieval ships, gently silvers and shimmers with blue, violet and purple colors. Its top, the crest, is bright red, and the lower part, from which long, sometimes up to 30 meters, hunting tentacles extend, is blue.

Portuguese Man of War - Jellyfish or not?

It must be said that, although this creature is a close relative of jellyfish, it still does not belong to them. The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, a primitive invertebrate organism. It is a colony of four types of polyps coexisting together. Each of them performs its assigned function.

Thanks to the first polyp - a gas bubble, the beauty of which we admire, the Portuguese man-of-war stays afloat and can...

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The Portuguese man-of-war got its name from its bright, multi-colored swim bladder, reminiscent of the sail of a medieval Portuguese ship. It is difficult to see it, and there is no desire to look closely at the water, especially if you are swimming in a completely peaceful area of the hotel beach. Although it is quite bright, even somewhat kitschy: the lower part of the bladder is blue, the top has a bright red crest, and the whole thing shimmers with purple flowers, and its swim bladder, about 30 centimeters in size, looks like a rubber cap.

In any case, if you feel a sharp pain, as if from a whiplash or electric shock, you can safely scream. Firstly, from surprise, and secondly, you may urgently need help. Physalia venom is very close in its effect to cobra venom. The introduction of even a small dose under the skin of laboratory animals ended tragically for them. If you are allergic, then help should be immediate; if not, then you should still be prepared for some unpleasant...

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Creatures with such a romantic name are close relatives of jellyfish, in the scientific world they are officially called “siphonophora physalia.” If only a few jellyfish are poisonous, then all physalia are poisonous, without exception.

Physalia poison is not fatal for humans, but the consequences can be extremely unpleasant. Swelling, numbness, burning and even short-term paralysis if the poisonous tentacle touches the spine area. It is very dangerous in water. But physalia are no less dangerous on land. During a storm, the sea throws hundreds of Portuguese ships ashore; the thin tentacles dry out instantly and are carried away by the wind. Physalia poison is very persistent and does not lose its properties either when dried or frozen. If a dried tentacle comes into contact with the skin, irritation or an allergic reaction is guaranteed. That is why swimming or visiting the beach is prohibited in resort areas if swimming physalia were spotted nearby.

Externally, Portuguese ships are very beautiful. They look like a scalloped balloon floating in water, inflated...

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Portuguese man-of-war, physalia, bluebottle jellyfish are the most famous names for this jellyfish. Lives in warm waters (Florida, Cuba, Mediterranean Sea, Australia, Japan). Often the Gulf Stream brings them to the shores of England and France. When they accumulate off the coasts of England and France or, for example, near the beaches of Florida, television, radio and the press warn the population of the danger.

Beauty,...

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What would you think if, while swimming in the sea, you saw a very strange “composition” consisting of processes of unknown length and a very bright body, reminiscent of a bubble on the surface of the water. It’s difficult to immediately guess what kind of miracle is in front of you - maybe it’s a flower, or maybe such an extraordinary fish?

It doesn’t look like a fish, and it doesn’t look like an animal either, but you need to approach the desired creature carefully, or better yet, avoid contact with it altogether. Because a bright and beautiful bubble is just a trick and a trap of the Portuguese man of war - the most dangerous poisonous creature on the planet...

Portuguese man-of-war. Jellyfish or invertebrate? Photos and survival instructions.

Appearance and dimensions

What is the Portuguese man-of-war and why does it take special pleasure to poison its victims - fish and other sea creatures? Many people think that these are the most dangerous jellyfish, but this is not entirely true. Outwardly resembling a jellyfish, the Portuguese man-of-war is different from it and is considered...

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PHYSALIA'S LIFESTYLE

Physalia (see photo) often swim in warm seas in numerous groups, often numbering several thousand jellyfish. The transparent bubble of the jellyfish body, shining in the sun, rises approximately 15 cm above the water and looks like a small sail. It is surprising that the jellyfish is able to move even against the wind, without deviating from its chosen path. The physalia jellyfish is usually found close to the shore, but in the warm season it willingly moves with the current in the direction of the earth's poles. Powerful winds blowing from the sea towards the coast can throw this jellyfish onto land.

BREEDING THE PORTUGUESE MAN OFFER

It is not known for certain how the physalia jellyfish reproduces. All that scientists have found out is that physalia reproduces asexually and in the colonies there are polyps responsible for reproduction. It is they who found new colonies.

Since jellyfish have the ability to reproduce without interruption,...

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Many people have encountered a jellyfish at least once in their lives. This meeting was not pleasant for everyone, since some species sting upon contact with the skin, that is, they leave burns, and often very painful ones. The Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, among other things, is also famous for this.

A little about jellyfish

Probably most people have encountered these organisms in one way or another. They are absolutely extraordinary and fascinating in the water, but on land they don’t look so impressive. We are talking about jellyfish - a stage of development of some organisms. They may look very different, but they also have something in common, so that even those who see them for the first time will be able to recognize them quite easily: they are often almost transparent and resemble a dome or parachute in shape.

There is a huge variety of jellyfish living in different parts planet, so you can encounter them both at the southern resort and in the northern latitudes. Usually most of them are not too dangerous, although such proximity to...

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The Portuguese man-of-war (lat. Physalia physalis) is a species of colonial hydroid from the order of siphonophores, the colony of which consists of polypoid and medusoid individuals.

This coelenterate creature is often called a jellyfish, but the Portuguese man-of-war is not a jellyfish, but a siphonophore - a colony of coelenterates. Such a colony includes polypoid and medusoid individuals living as a single harmonious organism. Portuguese man-of-war are very common marine animals - they can be found in almost all warm-water areas of the oceans and seas - from the latitudes of the Japanese Islands to Australia and New Zealand. Sometimes the winds drive such masses of these coelenterate organisms to the shore that it feels as if the coastal waters are covered with colored jelly.

The dome of the Portuguese man-of-war is very beautiful, and usually shimmers with blue-purple colors with purple-red tints. Its length along the “body” can reach 20-25 cm, but ordinary...

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Initially, Portuguese man-of-war could only be found in the waters of the Gulf Stream, as well as in the tropics of the Indian and Pacific oceans. But since 1989, this flotilla was carried into the Mediterranean Sea. Scientists believe that the main reasons for their relocation were global warming and the disappearance of food due to large volumes of fish catch.

Portuguese man-of-war plying the ocean

Tentacles

The Portuguese ship fully lives up to its name, which it received back in the 15th century in honor of the flotilla of Henry the Navigator. Its upper part, which is a large transparent bubble 15-20 cm in length, is very similar to the stern of a ship. Moving...

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And finally, about poisonous hydroids - physalia, which received the name “Portuguese man-of-war” for their appearance. This animal belongs to the lower coelenterates, which have a highly developed poisonous apparatus for attack and defense. They live in tropical areas Pacific Ocean. Animals easily stay in water due to a gas-filled swim bladder, which serves as a hydrostatic apparatus for physalia.

Physalia (Physalia physalis) - poisonous jellyfish living in tropical waters

In some physalia, the swim bladder protrudes above the surface of the water, acting as a sail. From the hydrostatic apparatus (pneumatophore), a special trunk goes down, to which the remaining individuals of the colony are attached; their number can reach several hundred. In short, physalia is not a separate organism. Physalia belong to the colonial forms. Numerous tentacles of physalia are equipped with a huge number of stinging cells containing a poisonous secretion. The tentacles are almost...

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Physalia

» Dangerous animals » Physalia

Physalia (Latin name Physalia) is a representative of the family Physalidae, group Pneumatophoridae, order of siphonophores. In nature, physalia live in a vast colony, in which, along with 100-250 physalia, there are also many polyps. Found in large numbers in the open sea and floating on the surface of the water, they present a very beautiful sight.

Signs

The most common form of physalia is the form of a large bladder. Its diameter can reach 30 centimeters in length. The bubble is filled with nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with minimal oxygen. In the event of a storm, this helps the physalia to quickly get rid of the contents of the bubble and go to the bottom.

The upper part of the bubble is decorated with a ridge. The ridge allows the physalia to easily maneuver underwater. By appearance it resembles the sail of a medieval Portuguese ship. This is where its second name, “Portuguese warship,” came from.

In nature, physalia is very...

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In calm, windless weather, the sea water is so clear that it can be seen to great depths. It’s at this time that you can see some strange, almost transparent creatures flickering in its thickness, like shadows. In appearance they resemble a bell or an umbrella. These are jellyfish that received their terrible name for a reason.

In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa (snake-haired maiden) was the name given to one of the sisters of the Gorgons, winged monsters capable of turning living beings into stone with their gaze. Medusa had snakes on her head instead of hair.

People gave such a terrible name to the fragile inhabitants of the depths not only because tentacles flutter along the edges of their bodies, reminiscent of bending reptiles, but also because with their poison they can inflict damage on humans, sometimes leading to death.

The poisonous apparatus of all representatives of coelenterates consists of stinging capsules - nematocysts, located mainly on their tentacles in the outer layer. From the outer surface of the stinging...

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The Portuguese man-of-war is not just a beautiful creation of nature. This is a real killer jellyfish that floats on the surface of the water with the help of a transparent bubble filled with gas.

The Portuguese man-of-war consists of two parts: a large transparent gas-filled bladder in the upper part of the body and tentacles, the length of which can reach 30 m. The poison is contained in the stinging cells of the tentacles. The bubble is usually blue, violet or purple.

Spanish tourism is under threat due to the penetration of a dangerous coelenterate into the Mediterranean Sea - the poisonous Portuguese man-of-war Physalia physalis. In common parlance it is called the “killer jellyfish,” although it is more correct to classify it as a siphonophore, an order of pelagic cnidarians from the hydroid class.

"Portuguese man-on-war" (lat. Physalia physalis) (English: Portuguese man-on-war or Caravela portuguesa)

Initially, Portuguese man-of-war could only be found in the waters...

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Portuguese man of war(lat. Physalia physalis) is a species of colonial hydroids from the order of siphonophores, the colony of which consists of polypoid and medusoid individuals.

This coelenterate creature is often called a jellyfish, however Portuguese man of war not a jellyfish, but a siphonophore - a colony of coelenterates. Such a colony includes polypoid and medusoid individuals living as a single harmonious organism. Portuguese man-of-war are very common marine animals - they can be found in almost all warm-water areas of the oceans and seas - from the latitudes of the Japanese Islands to Australia and New Zealand. Sometimes the winds drive such masses of these coelenterate organisms to the shore that it feels as if the coastal waters are covered with colored jelly.

The dome of the Portuguese man-of-war is very beautiful, and usually shimmers with blue-purple colors with purple-red tints. Its length along the “body” can reach 20-25 cm, but the usual dimensions are more modest.

The siphonophore owes its unusual name - "Portuguese man-of-war" (sometimes - "Portuguese man-of-war") to the shape of its sail-dome, rising above the surface of the water. Indeed, it is very reminiscent of the military sailing ships of the 15th century that plied the seas during the time of Henry the Navigator.

The trunk of a colony of cormidia (zooids) extends from the dome of the physalia. Cormidia are composed of representatives of three types of polyps - feeding zooids (gastrozooids), hunting zooids (dactylozooids) and one sexual zooid (gonozooid).
Each of the dactylozooids bears a tentacle designed for catching prey. The tentacles are capable of very strong contraction in length (sometimes by 70 times!), so the length of the underwater “mane” of physalia can vary from several meters to tens of meters (there are individual colonies with tentacles up to 50 meters long).

The hunting tentacles of dactylozooids are capable of paralyzing prey with the powerful poison of goads and pulling food for processing by gastrozooids. Physalia feed on small invertebrates, fish, squid and other marine life.
A formidable weapon of physalia - the poison of the tentacles is very dangerous for many inhabitants of the sea, as well as for people. Fatalities from human contact with physalia are quite rare, but dangerous injuries and burns occur annually in many coastal areas where beach holiday and water sports.

Help for physalia affected by poison consists in carefully removing fragments of tentacles and treating the contact area with a 3-5% solution of acetic acid. Treatment with fresh water aggravates the condition and increases the pain, so under no circumstances should you wash the burn. The victim should be immediately taken to a medical facility to provide qualified assistance - for people in poor health, a close “acquaintance” with the Portuguese man-of-war can be fatal.

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