description Chiropsalmus quadrumanus Overview
Chiropsalmus quadrumanus is a species of box jellyfish in the class Cubozoa found in warm western Atlantic waters, including the Gulf of Mexico. Its box-shaped bell bears muscular structures from which clusters of tentacles extend, and those tentacles contain stinging cells used in prey capture and defense. Contact can cause painful stings in humans, so swimmers and coastal workers should avoid handling either living or stranded specimens.
help Chiropsalmus quadrumanus FAQ
Where is Chiropsalmus quadrumanus found in the wild?
Chiropsalmus quadrumanus is found in warm western Atlantic waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Caribbean and southeastern United States coast. Sightings tend to occur during warmer months when the species moves closer to shore.
Is Chiropsalmus quadrumanus dangerous to humans?
Yes. Like other box jellyfish in the class Cubozoa, its tentacles contain stinging cells that can deliver a painful and potentially medically significant sting. It is generally treated as less consistently lethal than the infamous Chironex fleckeri of Australian waters.
How is Chiropsalmus quadrumanus related to Chironex fleckeri?
Both belong to the box jellyfish group (Cubozoa) and share the same general body plan of a box-shaped bell with clusters of tentacles. However, they are in different genera, and Chironex fleckeri is larger and more frequently associated with human fatalities.
What does the body of Chiropsalmus quadrumanus look like?
It has a transparent, box-shaped bell from which muscular pedalia extend, each bearing clusters of tentacles. The bell is relatively small compared to the trailing tentacles, which can reach much farther than the bell width.
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