Some Chemical and Pharmacological Studies on Two Venomous Jellyfish

Abstract

Venomous jellyfish are widely distributed throughout the world. Two of these animals found in American waters are the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and the Portuguese man-o-war (Physalia physalis). Both these coelenterates are capable of injuring humans with their tentacles. Painful urticarial cutaneous lesions, local muscle cramps, corneal ulcerations, and occasionally respiratory distress are symptoms which can follow contact with their tentacles (Cleland and Southcott, 1965). P. physalis is generally regarded as the more toxic animal. The presence of these organisms can be economically detrimental, as well as a nuisance and a health hazard. It has been estimated that recreational use of the Chesapeake Bay is reduced 30% by the sea nettle, thereby decreasing property value and tax income. Recently, fisherman off the Virginia coast reported catching sea nettle masses so great that net damage may run as high as a million dollars. The man-o-war interferes with ocean bathing and fishing along the seafront of many Florida and Gulf coast cities. The recent investigations reported below were conducted to further delineate the chemical and pharmacological properties of the venoms obtained from the nematocysts of these animals.