Sea Wasp, Cube Jellyfish, Winged Box Jellyfish – Alatina alata

The Sea Wasp, Cube Jellyfish, Winged Box Jellyfish, scientifically known as Alatina alata, is a highly venomous jellyfish species found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. It is characterized by its distinctive box-shaped bell, and its potent venom can cause severe pain and even death in humans.

Description and Characteristics

Alatina alata is a small jellyfish with a cube-shaped bell that can reach a maximum size of about 20 centimeters. The bell has four flat sides and is transparent with a slight blueish hue. The bell is rimmed by a series of tentacles, which are armed with stinging nematocysts. These tentacles can extend up to 1 meter in length and are used to capture prey. The jellyfish also has four small, eye-like structures called rhopalia, which are located on the bell’s corners and help with navigation and sensing the environment.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Sea Wasp, Cube Jellyfish, Winged Box Jellyfish, Alatina alata, is an inhabitant of the open ocean, making it a prominent presence in these vast aquatic ecosystems. It is commonly found in coastal waters, especially near beaches and estuaries. The species is a resident of tropical and subtropical regions around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, the Caribbean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is typically found in warm, clear waters with minimal salinity, and its presence is often linked to the presence of plankton, which constitutes a key food source for the species.

Taxonomy

The species Alatina alata belongs to the Class: Cubozoa, Order: Carybdeida, and Family: Alatinidae. These classifications reflect its unique characteristics and phylogenetic relationships within the animal kingdom.

Feeding

Alatina alata is a predatory jellyfish that relies on a varied diet of small crustaceans, including copepods, amphipods, and mysis. It also preys on fish larvae, invertebrates, and zooplankton like Daphnia salina. The Sea Wasp, Cube Jellyfish, Winged Box Jellyfish uses its venomous tentacles to capture and paralyze its prey, consuming it whole.