Description of the chirodropid box jellyfish Chiropsella rudloei sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Madagascar

Abstract

A new species of chirodropid box jellyfish belonging to the genus Chiropsella (Cubozoa: Chirodropida: Chiropsalmidae) is described from Madagascar. In addition to being a new species from Madagascar, this represents the first record of the genus from Africa, and more generally the Indian Ocean. So far the genus Chiropsella is represented by two species, both of which are endemic to tropical Australian waters. The species described here most closely resembles Chiropsella bart from Arnhem Land, Australia. However, the species from Madagascar differs from C. bart in the shape of their rhopaliar niche ostium cover, the maximum number of tentacles, as well as their lack of pedalial keels. Furthermore, striking differences in the size of p-rhopaloids of the tentacular cnidomes were recorded between the two species. A tabular key distinguishing the genera of the Chiropsalmidae and the species of Chiropsella is provided.