Tamoya haplonema (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from Uruguayan and adjacent waters: oceanographic context of new and historical findings

Valentina Leoni,Gabriela Failla Siquier,Wilson Serra,Martin Abreu,Fabrizio Scarabino,Leonardo Ortega,Luis Rubio,André C Morandini,Ana Gabriella Alonzo Campi,Sergio N Stampar,Silvana González,Alicia Dutra

doi:10.1186/s41200-016-0093-7

Abstract

New records of the cubozoan jellyfish Tamoya haplonema in Uruguayan waters are reported together with historical records for the region, and associated with the oceanographic conditions at the moment of the finding. Occurrences of the species are mainly associated with positive Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies especially during summer months when the intrusion of warm oceanic waters to the Uruguayan coastline is stronger. This was particularly strong during 2012–2013, when a dry period enhanced this scenario. This species is the only cubozoan present in Uruguay, with a sporadic occurrence and so far has no appreciated negative effects on public health. However, from observed increasing frequency of positive temperature anomalies it would be reasonable to predict a future southward shift in the latitudinal distribution of T. haplonema. In this context, occurrence of this toxic species along Uruguayan coastal waters must be considered with particular attention to the potential negative impact on tourism and on general public health.

Highlights

The cnidarian class Cubozoa comprises approximately 50 described species (Bentlage et al 2010), mostly restricted to warm waters of the globe (Marques et al 2003; Morandini et al 2005)
Historical records of T. haplonema in Uruguayan and adjacent waters The first record of a cubomedusa from Uruguayan coast was made by Barattini and Ureta (1961, sometimes dated as 1960), for the coast of Maldonado, as being uncommon
This conclusion is only based on geographical distribution (T. haplonema is the only species recorded from the region) considering that all characters and measurements

Summary

Introduction

The cnidarian class Cubozoa comprises approximately 50 described species (Bentlage et al 2010), mostly restricted to warm waters of the globe (Marques et al 2003; Morandini et al 2005). Cubozoans have ecological and medical importance playing an important role in marine food webs, affecting fishing activities and tourism (Kingsford and Mooney 2014). Knowledge on their ecology and on how oceanographic conditions affect population dynamics and distribution are rare for cubomedusae when compared to scyphomedusae and hydromedusae. Morandini and Marques (1997) reported the first case of envenomation in southeastern Brazilian waters, which produced burning sensation followed by a 7-day period of itching and a permanent scar on the affected skin

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Conclusion