QuickCheck: Are box jellyfish native to Malaysia?
By NIKLAS ALBAKRI || THE STAR
MALAYSIA'S tropical waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, from colourful coral reefs to fascinating sea creatures.
Box jellyfish, known for their cube-shaped bells and potentially lethal venom, are among the ocean's most feared inhabitants.
Are box jellyfish native to Malaysia?
Verdict:
TRUE
Box jellyfish are indeed native to Malaysian waters, with multiple species documented along both the western and eastern coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sabah waters.
Scientific surveys conducted between 2008 and 2015 have identified several box jellyfish species in Malaysian waters, confirming their presence as natural inhabitants of the region.
The most notable species found in Malaysia is Chironex fleckeri, commonly known as the Australian box jellyfish, which has been documented in coastal waters from northern Australia and New Guinea to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam.
This species is considered the most lethal jellyfish in the world, with venom potent enough to kill a human within minutes if stung severely.
In addition to Chironex fleckeri, other box jellyfish species found in Malaysian waters include Morbakka species, discovered in mangrove areas of the Klang Strait and other locations, and Chiropsoides buitendijki, identified during surveys by Penang National Park.
A comprehensive taxonomic survey published in 2016 documented cubozoan jellyfish from Malaysian waters over a two-year period, collecting specimens from the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea and the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea.
More recently, a 2021 study reported new records of box jellyfish from Sabah waters, including Chironex yamaguchii and Linuche aquila, species hitherto not recorded in the state.
Box jellyfish are primarily found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, where warm temperatures and suitable salinity levels support their survival.
In Malaysia, they inhabit both marine and estuarine environments and are known to frequent mangrove areas and coastal waters where they hunt for small fish and other prey.
The presence of box jellyfish in Malaysian waters poses risks to swimmers, divers and fishermen, as their stings can cause severe pain, scarring and in extreme cases, death.
Despite their dangerous reputation, box jellyfish play important ecological roles in marine ecosystems, acting as predators that help maintain balance in ocean food webs.
Jellyfish blooms in Malaysian waters have been documented at various locations, including major ports along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where species like Chironex fleckeri have been identified during surveys.
The documentation of box jellyfish species in Malaysia has improved in recent years, though they remain relatively understudied compared to other marine life, with ongoing research aimed at better understanding their distribution, behaviour and impact on human activities.
Healthcare providers and tourism operators in coastal areas need to be aware of the presence of these dangerous creatures to ensure proper treatment protocols are in place for sting victims.
Source: quickcheck-are-box-jellyfish-native-to-malaysia
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