TY - JOUR
T1 - Clarifying the identity of the Japanese Habu-kurage,Chironex yamaguchii, sp. nov. (Cnidaria
T2 - Cubozoa: Chirodropida)
AU - Lewis, Cheryl
AU - Bentlage, Bastian
PY - 2009/3/9
Y1 - 2009/3/9
N2 - Here we describe the new species Chironex yamaguchii (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. This highly venomous cubomedusa, commonly referred to as Habu-kurage in Japan, is the culprit for several fatalities in Japanese waters. The scientific name adopted for this species in the literature is Chiropsalmus quadrigatus, but our taxonomic investigations show that this represents a case of mistaken identity. In fact, Habu-kurage is a close relative of Chironex fleckeri, which is particularly interesting because the latter has a reputation for being the most venomous animal known. Differences in the shape of the pedalial canal bend, the number of tentacles, and bell size distinguish the two species. In addition to Japan, Chironex yamaguchii is widely distributed in the Philippines.
AB - Here we describe the new species Chironex yamaguchii (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. This highly venomous cubomedusa, commonly referred to as Habu-kurage in Japan, is the culprit for several fatalities in Japanese waters. The scientific name adopted for this species in the literature is Chiropsalmus quadrigatus, but our taxonomic investigations show that this represents a case of mistaken identity. In fact, Habu-kurage is a close relative of Chironex fleckeri, which is particularly interesting because the latter has a reputation for being the most venomous animal known. Differences in the shape of the pedalial canal bend, the number of tentacles, and bell size distinguish the two species. In addition to Japan, Chironex yamaguchii is widely distributed in the Philippines.
KW - Chironex
KW - Chiropsalmus quadrigatus
KW - Chiropsoides
KW - Habu-kurage
KW - Okinawa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=64549099802&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=64549099802&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.11646/zootaxa.2030.1.5
DO - 10.11646/zootaxa.2030.1.5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:64549099802
SP - 59
EP - 65
JO - Zootaxa
JF - Zootaxa
SN - 1175-5326
IS - 2030
ER -