Bonaire Banded Box Jelly (BBBJ) Sited.

For several (4)years we have been hunting to find another BBBJ. Yesterday on our first snorkel at Andrea II we saw one at 6:30 pm in 2 meters of water over a sandy patch. I was able to follow it for about 30 min. It was really a highlight for me to be able to find one and study it for such a long time. This is the species that has been discussed here before. Anatomically, it looks like Carybdea alata (sea wasp or box jelly in Humann/Deloach). This one has alternating dark and light bands on each of the 4 tentacles. The velum (bell) area is translucent and the organs were easy to see.

Also of note in a discussion with snorkelers on the beach yesterday after exiting the water who told us they saw 2 "regular" box jellies (4 tentacles on each side, aka box) on Klein B. this past Tuesday. But this Monday they also saw a BBBJ wash up at Pink Beach, with the distinct banded tentacles.

I sent photos of the original BBBJ to leading jellyologists (Cnidarologists) around the world including the former Smithsonian jelly expert (his doctorate is in Caribbean jellies). None of them had ever seen this BBBJ species. One thinks it is a new Genus, not just a new species. This is all very exciting to me with a background in marine biology.

I would like to request u/w folks keep an eye out for this BBBJ. Please email or BT me about it. I got wonderful photos from several sources this year already. All Cubozoans carry a nasty sting, so be careful. I was not able to get a DNA sample yesterday to send to the U of Hawaii for a coding sequence and species ID documentation. I am hoping to get one today or on this trip ending Sept 22.

Does anyone have info or a sighting of potential BBBJ? We have had several nasty stings here on Bonaire this past 1.5 years. Though jellies worldwide are on the increase.

Really jazzed,
Bud

Bud, do you have a photo so we know what to look for?

Cheryl,
I have the original BBBJ pictures I distributed via email and printed ones to many of the dive masters on Bonaire. I had four others sent to me. I am here (Bonaire) now and don't the digital versions. But I can post them when I get back to FL.

So the answer is yes there are several versions of pictures but you may have to wait a couple of weeks. Others are welcome to post them too. There are 2 excellent video clips of them too. One at Hilma Hooker and the other at Belnem.

Bud

Hi Bud, hope you're having a great time on Bonaire.
Cheryl B,
go to google, type in either box jellies or cubozoa, click images, and search. You'll get lots of copyrighted images of box jellies.
Mare

Mare,

Good suggestion. The Genus species, Carybdea alata, is most like what it looks like, but BBBJ has the banded tentacles. You can Google Carybdea.

Also, in Google News if you search on jellyfish stings you get a brain full. Of note is the closing of an expanding number of Hawaiian beaches 8-10 after the full moon because of sea wasp (box jelly) swarmings. This is also caused by Carybdea.

Nevertheless, Bonaire is as beautiful as ever. We did a blue water (off shore) snorkel yesterday and numerous planktonic/nektonic critters in the water column soup of life. Also a school of ballyhoo, sardines, and hungry tarpon zooming through. Late afternoon is a good time to do this with the light at an acute angle. We saw 4 venus girdles too.

So much life out there. So little time.

Off to the reefs,
Bud

Bud - When I googled Carybdea, it came up with Carybdea Sivickisi. Looks like what you were describing. Found in Guam and Australia during coral spawning. This little guy is tiny, so I don't know if it's the one you saw. Judy

Hi Judy.

I know Carybdea sivickisi. It is a bizarre, almost alien-looking creature. But this not it. Carybdea alata is quite common in the Caribbean. Humann/Deloach Reef Creatures has a clear pic of C. alata on page 87. The one we are hunting is quite similar both bands on the flattened tentacles.

Jellies are wild.
Bud

http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bekesy/angel/video/index.html Hear is a video of the Carybdea alata in action.. Ron

Ron,

Interesting you would post the video of Carybdean box jelly by Angel Y. She is the U of Hawaii researcher awaiting an RNA sample for species IDing.

Bud

Bud,

A chance for people to learn and respect wildlife is a previlage. To know is to avoid the Box Jelly and not meet them on their terms.. Ron

Bud:

Any tips on proper preservation of a tissue sample for DNA analysis if the opportunity should present itself? I'd hate to find one stranded on the shore and not be able to seize the opportunity.

Jelly Points.

Ron..Learning, knowing, and respect are really important. Observing and keep save distances is a good idea, especially with these critters. Their swarming cycles and dates are good to know. There are numerous sporatic sightings of jellies, including the dangerous box jellies, off Bonaire and around the Caribbean. However,in other places this summer it has been just chaotic. The Red Cross in Spain treated 15,000 jelly stings in a couple weeks on the NE coast there. Thankfully, Bonaire is really a safe and amazing place to do water sports. Now the sunburn, that is another matter.

Jeff. We just use formalin or just keep it in salt water until you can transfer a specimen. I certainly want to caution anyone attempting to handle such a species. All stinging jellies are potent even out of the water hours later. Pics are really important too with pertinent data, where, when, etc. Thanks to those who have captured some great photos of a wider variety of jellies and sent them to me. btw, Gonionemus and paired bell siphonophores are out in the blue waters this week. Both sting but not for long or painfully.

There have been a couple of really beautiful eagle rays gliding around south of Margate Bay. The same area has a great variety of goldentail morays ranging in colors from banana to dark chocolate brown.

Thanks for you comments and have fun in the water.


Bud

BBBJ Sighting 3 and 4.

Lynn Flaming (TWR) reported seeing a BBBj in shallow water north of the old pier last Monday (12th).

Art Kleimer reported seeing a BBBJ Sunday (19th) at Bari's reef in 8 ft of water. He and his wife swam with it for 5 minutes.

Since August 31 4 sightings are reported. Also several regular clear box jellies have been seen at Klein.

Thanks for the reports. We are dealing with a new area of biology and these recording are really helpful.

Bud

Hi, Bud!
So happy you had your own BBBj sighting!
You are welcome to post on BT the photo which I sent you. I am far too technologically challenged to post it myself.
Tish