Poisonous physalia. Photo: Shutterstock.com

In Thailand, on the island of Phuket, three popular beaches were closed for swimming - Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Layan. The reason for the emergency measure was the invasion of poisonous physalia, the bite of which is dangerous for humans.

Physalia, or, as it is also called, the Portuguese boat - close relative jellyfish, but it's not a real jellyfish. Physalia belong to very primitive invertebrate organisms - siphonophores. In fact, this is a floating colony, consisting of many polyps that perform a specific role. Some get food, others process it, others are responsible for reproduction, and fourth for protection. All polyps together are a whole organism.

The most common type of physalia is the Portuguese man-of-war. It got its name because of its bright colors and shape, reminiscent of the sail of a medieval Portuguese ship. From the swim bladder filled with gas, short digestive organs- gastrozoids. Behind them are spirally...

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An amazingly beautiful creation of nature - the Portuguese boat (physalia) - is as dangerous as it is attractive. In order not to get burned, it is better to admire them from a distance.

And, one might say, there is something to admire: above the surface of the water, the “sail” gently silvers and shimmers with blue, purple and purple, similar to those that adorned medieval ships. Its top, crest, is bright red, and the lower part, from which long, sometimes up to 30 meters, trapping tentacles extend, is blue.

portuguese boat- jellyfish or not?

It must be said that, although this creature is a close relative of jellyfish, it still does not apply to those. The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, a primitive invertebrate organism. It is a colony of four types of polyps coexisting together. Each of them performs the function assigned to it.

Thanks to the first polyp - a gas bubble, the beauty of which we admire, the Portuguese boat keeps afloat and can ...

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The Portuguese boat got its name from the bright multi-colored swim bladder, reminiscent of the sail of a medieval Portuguese ship. It is difficult to see it, and there is no desire to look closely at the water, especially if you swim in a completely peaceful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe hotel beach. Although it is quite bright, even somewhat puffy: the lower part of the bubble is blue, the top is a bright red crest, and it all shimmers with purple colors, and its swim bladder, about 30 centimeters in size, looks like a rubber cap.

In any case, if you feel a sharp pain, like from a whip or electric shock, you can safely scream. Firstly, from surprise, and secondly, you may urgently need help. The poison of the physalia is very close in its action to the poison of the cobra. The introduction of even a small dose under the skin of laboratory animals ended tragically for them. If you are allergic, then help should be immediate, if not, then you still need to be prepared for some unpleasant ...

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Creatures with such a romantic name, close relatives of jellyfish, are officially referred to in the scientific world as “physalia siphonophora”. If only a few are poisonous among jellyfish, then all physalia are poisonous, without exception.

For humans, physalia poison is not fatal, but the consequences can be extremely unpleasant. Swelling, numbness, burning, and even short-term paralysis if the poisonous tentacle touches the spine. It's very dangerous in the water. But physalia are no less dangerous on land. During a storm, the sea throws hundreds of Portuguese ships ashore, thin tentacles dry up instantly and are carried by the wind. Physalium poison is very persistent and does not lose its properties either when dried or frozen. If a dried tentacle comes into contact with the skin, irritation or an allergic reaction is provided. That is why swimming or visiting the beach is prohibited in the resort areas if floating physalia were seen nearby.

Outwardly, Portuguese boats are very beautiful. They look like a balloon with a comb floating in the water, inflated ...

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Portuguese warship, physalia, bluebottle jellyfish - most famous titles this jellyfish. Dwells in warm waters(Florida, Cuba, Mediterranean Sea, Australia, Japan). Often the Gulf Stream brings them to the shores of England and France. When they accumulate off the coast of England and France or, for example, near the beaches of Florida, television, radio and the press warn the population of the danger.

Jellyfish are poisonous even when washed ashore. The shoots reach a length of up to 10 meters (which is like a thread in the sand).
The "Portuguese boat" got its name from the multi-colored swim bladder, which is shaped like the sail of a medieval Portuguese sailing ship. The lower part of the bubble is blue, and the upper one is bright red, while the bubble constantly shimmers with purple colors. The bell of this jellyfish shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow from blue to purple, similar to a rubber cap.

Beauty,...

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What would you think if, swimming in the sea, you saw a very strange “composition” consisting of processes of incomprehensible length and a very bright body, resembling a bubble on the surface of the water. It’s hard to guess right away what kind of miracle is in front of you - maybe it’s a flower, or maybe such an unusual fish?

It doesn’t look like a fish, and it doesn’t look like an animal either, but you need to carefully approach the creature you are looking for, and it’s better to avoid contact with it altogether. Because a bright and beautiful bubble is just a trick and a trap of the Portuguese boat - the most dangerous poisonous creature on the planet ...

Portuguese boat. Jellyfish or invertebrate? Photos and instructions for survival.

Appearance and dimensions

What is a Portuguese boat and why does it take special pleasure to poison its victims - fish and others marine life? Many people think that these are dangerous jellyfish, but it is not so. Outwardly resembling a jellyfish, the Portuguese boat differs from it and is considered ...

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PHYSALIA'S LIFESTYLE

Physalia (see photo) often swim in warm seas in large groups, often numbering several thousand jellyfish. The bubble of the jellyfish body, transparent and shining in the sun, rises about 15 cm above the water and looks like a small sail. It is surprising that the jellyfish is able to move even against the wind, without turning off the chosen path. The physalia jellyfish is usually found close to the coast, but in the warm season it willingly moves with the flow in the direction of the earth's poles. Powerful winds blowing from the sea towards the coast can throw this jellyfish onto land.

BREEDING OF THE PORTUGUESE BOAT

It is not known for certain how the Physalia jellyfish reproduces. All that scientists have found out is that physalia reproduces asexually and there are polyps in the colonies that are responsible for reproduction. It is they who establish new colonies.

Since jellyfish have the ability to reproduce without interruption, ...

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Many at least once in their lives, but faced with a jellyfish. This meeting turned out to be not pleasant for everyone, since some species sting on contact with the skin, that is, they leave burns, and often very painful. Medusa "Portuguese boat", among other things, is also famous for this.

A little about jellyfish

Probably most of the people one way or another faced with these organisms. They are completely unusual and bewitching in the water, but on land they no longer look so impressive. We are talking about jellyfish - the stage of development of some organisms. They may look very different, but they also have something in common, so that even those who see them for the first time can recognize them quite easily: they are often almost transparent and resemble a dome or parachute in shape.

There is a huge variety of jellyfish living in different parts planets, so that they can be encountered both on southern resort, as well as in northern latitudes. Usually most of them are not too dangerous, although such proximity to ...

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The Portuguese boat (lat. Physalia physalis) is a species of colonial hydroid from the siphonophore order, the colony of which consists of polypoid and medusoid individuals.

This intestinal creature is often called a jellyfish, but the Portuguese boat is not a jellyfish, but a siphonophore - a colony of intestinal animals. The composition of such a colony includes polypoid and medusoid individuals living as a single harmonious organism. Portuguese boats are very common marine animals - they can be found in almost all warm-water areas of the oceans and seas - from the latitudes of the Japanese Islands to Australia and New Zealand. Sometimes the winds drive to the shore such arrays of these intestinal-cavity organisms that it seems that the coastal waters are covered with colored jelly.

The dome of the Portuguese ships is very beautiful, and usually shimmers with blue-lilac colors with purple-red tints. Its length along the "body" can reach 20-25 cm, but the usual ...

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Initially, Portuguese boats could only be found in the waters of the Gulf Stream, as well as in the tropics of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. But since 1989, this flotilla has also drifted into the Mediterranean. Scientists believe that the main reasons for their resettlement were global warming and the disappearance of food due to the large volumes of fish caught.

Portuguese boat plows the ocean

tentacles

The Portuguese boat fully justifies its name, which it received back in the 15th century in honor of the flotilla of Henry the Navigator. Its upper part, which is a large transparent bubble 15-20 cm long, is very similar to the stern of a ship. Moves...

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And finally, about poisonous hydroids - physalia, which received the name "Portuguese boat" for their appearance. This animal belongs to the lower intestinal cavities, which have a highly developed poisonous apparatus for attack and defense. They live in the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean. Animals easily stay in the water due to the gas-filled swim bladder, which serves as a hydrostatic apparatus for the physalia.

Physalia (Physalia physalis) - poisonous jellyfish living in tropical waters

In some physalia, the swim bladder protrudes above the surface of the water, acting as a sail. From the hydrostatic apparatus (pneumatophore), a special trunk goes down, to which the remaining individuals of the colony are attached, their number can reach several hundred. In short, physalia are not a separate organism. Physalia belong to the colonial forms. Numerous tentacles of physalia are equipped with a huge number of stinging cells containing a poisonous secret. The tentacles are almost...

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Physalia

» Dangerous animals » Physalia

Physalia ( Latin name Physalia) is a representative of the Physalidae family, the Pneumatophoridae group, the siphonophore order. In nature, physalia live in an extensive colony, in which, along with 100-250 physalia, many polyps also live. Found in large numbers in the open sea and floating on the surface of the water, they are a very beautiful sight.

signs

The most common form of physalia is the shape of a large bladder. Its diameter can reach 30 centimeters in length. The bubble is filled with nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with a minimum oxygen content. In the event of a storm, this helps the physalia quickly get rid of the contents of the bubble and go to the bottom.

The upper part of the bubble is decorated with a comb. The crest allows the physalia to easily maneuver underwater. By appearance it resembles the sail of a medieval Portuguese ship. Hence its second name "Portuguese warship" was formed.

In nature, physalia is very ...

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In calm calm weather, sea water is so clear that it can be seen to a great depth. At such a time, one can see how some strange, almost transparent creatures flicker in its thickness, like shadows. In appearance, they resemble a bell or an umbrella. These are jellyfish, which received their terrible name for a reason.

IN ancient Greek mythology Medusa (snake-haired maiden) was named one of the Gorgon sisters, winged monsters capable of turning living creatures into stone with their eyes. Medusa had snakes on her head instead of hair.

People gave such a terrible name to the fragile inhabitants of the depths, not only because tentacles fluttering along the edges of their bodies, resembling curving reptiles, but also because with their poison they can inflict a defeat on a person, sometimes leading to death.

The poisonous apparatus in all representatives of the intestinal cavity consists of stinging capsules - nematocysts, located mainly on their tentacles in the outer layer. From the outer surface of the stinging...

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The Portuguese boat is not just a beautiful creation of nature. This is a real killer jellyfish that floats on the surface of the water with a transparent bubble filled with gas.

The Portuguese boat consists of two parts: a large transparent bubble filled with gas in the upper part of the body and tentacles, the length of which can reach 30 m. The poison is contained in the stinging cells of the tentacles. The bubble is usually colored blue, purple or lilac.

Spanish tourism is under threat due to the entry into the Mediterranean Sea of ​​the dangerous coelenterates - the poisonous Portuguese boat Physalia physalis. In common parlance, it is called the "killer jellyfish", although it is more correct to attribute it to the siphonophores, a detachment of pelagic cnidarians from the hydroid class.

"Portuguese boat" (lat. Physalia physalis) (English Portuguese man-on-war or Caravela portuguesa)

Initially, Portuguese boats could only be found in the waters ...

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Physalia either approaches the shore when the wind drives it, then turns the other side and slowly sails away. She is very dangerous - her poison acts quickly and flawlessly.

   Basic data:
DIMENSIONS
Length: body 9-35 cm, stinging threads usually 15 m, very rare cases can reach 30 m.

BREEDING
They usually reproduce asexually by budding. Polyps are separated from the main colony, then to create new ones.

LIFESTYLE
Behavior: drifting into the sea.
Food: all small fish.
Lifespan: a few months.

RELATED SPECIES
Among the siphonophores, there are many different types, a number of which are known as physalia. Only in the area mediterranean sea at least 20 different species have been found. Other jellyfish are also credited to the close relatives of physalia.

   Portuguese man-of-war (another name for physalia) is actually a colony that consists of different types polyps of the same species. Each polyp has its own function.

LIFESTYLE

BREEDING

SPECIAL BODY

• Physalia is a colony of modified polyps and jellyfish, which, being closely and mutually related to each other, have all the features of a single organism.
• "Portuguese boat" this jellyfish was named by sailors of the XVIII century, who talked about a creature that swims like a medieval Portuguese warship.
• The most poisonous representative of these intestinal (stinging) is a jellyfish, which can be dangerous even for humans. She lives in Indian and Pacific Oceans.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF PHYSALIA (PORTUGUESE SHIP)

going on seaside resort, people do not think about the dangers that may await them in the waters warm sea. One of these dangers is the predatory inhabitants of the sea. Most people believe that only predatory fish are dangerous in the sea. Unfortunately, this is far from the case. The real danger to humans is the so-called "Portuguese boats".

"Portuguese boat" has the appearance of a transparent crest, which has tentacles. The length of these tentacles can reach several meters. These inhabitants of the sea got their name for the similarity of their color with the colors of the Portuguese fleet.

These physalia, which are dangerous to humans, are stinging invertebrates and belong to the siphonophore group. In their tentacles there are stinging cells, which contain a portion of a very strong poison. When the tentacle touches the body of the victim, the stinging cells shoot at it with portions of poison.

People who have experienced contact with the tentacles of the "Portuguese boats" say that the sensation of contact with the stinging cells of these physalia can be compared to with a strong blow whip. A trace appears on the human body, which is a burn. Needless to say, the pain is just awful. Some people lose consciousness, unable to endure such terrible pain. The poison of a predator penetrates into the blood of a person, after which it affects the lungs and heart of the victim.

Depending on which "Portuguese boat" a person met, there will be different consequences from the ingestion of the predator's poison into the body. The victim may feel a lack of air, arrhythmia of the heart, etc. If the case is severe, then death is likely.

At the peak velvet season Physalia flooded the beaches of Thailand. The authorities of this state urgently close the beaches so as not to endanger the lives of vacationers. By the way, this behavior of the "Portuguese boats" is not common, since, as a rule, there are quite a few of them in the waters of this state. The reason for the invasion of stinging invertebrates on the beaches of Thailand is a mystery to scientists.

It should be noted that it is forbidden not only to swim in the waters, which are full of poisonous marine life, but even to touch dead predators thrown onto the coastline. The fact is that stinging cells with poison continue to act even after the predator's body has died.

Those who have come into contact with the "Portuguese boat" must follow safety measures so as not to cause even more harm to their health.

No need to remove the tentacle from the damaged area. The fact is that when damaged, the stinging cells will continue to release new portions of the poison, which will not add health to the victim. In order to separate the tentacles of a predator from the body, it is necessary to water them fresh water. If this does not help, then you need to use food vinegar. The very site of the lesion on the human body cannot be washed with fresh water.

It should be noted that the "Portuguese boats" and "box jellyfish" each year carry away about eight dozen human lives. However, if due diligence is exercised, the danger of becoming a victim poisonous inhabitants sea ​​waters can be minimized.

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There are many poisonous animals and microorganisms in the world. Often they seem beautiful and you just want to touch them. One of these interesting creatures the globe is a physalia that is found in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. They can be found even in the English Channel. With its appearance, it is very reminiscent of jellyfish, which are found in abundance in the seas of our country.

Physalia - a jellyfish or not?

Physalia is a colonial hydroid from the siphonophore order. Outwardly, it is very similar to a jellyfish, but it is not. It belongs to another group of invertebrate organisms - siphonophores.

In total, there are about 160 species of this order in the world, which live mainly in tropical waters. jellyfish physalia it is one of the species that are dangerous to humans and can even lead to death.

Physalia - danger, poison

The usual size of the physalia is up to about 35 centimeters, while the stinging tentacles, which contain stinging cells, can reach incredible sizes - up to 50 meters. It is these cells that are the most dangerous in the colony. Their venom is similar in composition to cobra venom and can cause fever, shock, and difficulty breathing in humans.

A person exposed to poison in water can drown from pain shock or loss of consciousness. They are dangerous because they move in large colonies that can easily devastate everything in their path.

Physalia: description of the Portuguese boat

Physalia is named after Dr. Marie Physalix, who first discovered and described it. Physalia (Portuguese boat) consists of two sections: siphosome and pneumatophore.

Pneumatophore - a bladder filled with atmospheric air, which allows the body to stay on the surface. If necessary, excess air is removed and the poisonous physalia is immersed in water. Groups of zooids depart from the pneumatophore, which are divided into 3 types:

Gonozooid - sexual zooid;
Gastrozoids - nourishing;
Dactylozoids are trapping. It is in them that the tentacles are located, which branch out. It is in them that the development of reproductive cells occurs, which then separate from the maternal individual and begin an independent life.

Their main diet consists of small fish, larvae and squid. Physalia itself makes up the diet of some of sea ​​turtles and shellfish.
The life span of an individual is several months. breeds jellyfish physalia asexually. Physalia moves with the help of wind and current. However, with the help of the siphosome, it serves as a rudder and is able to regulate the direction of the colony and move even against the wind.

Poisonous Physalia in Phuket

They are found predominantly large groups numbering in the thousands. The pneumatophore of the jellyfish resembles a small sail, for which the name Portuguese boat is often found. This name was given by sailors in the 18th century.
Physalia is found in tropical seas and is often found in the vicinity of Phuket and neighboring beaches, where they are brought by the monsoons blowing from May to October in those parts. At this time, it is more dangerous than the garbage dumped into the sea, which then forms in.

In September-October 2016, 4 beaches were even closed in Phuket for 2 weeks. This was due to the fact that they were found in in large numbers- more than 400 individuals. Fortunately, there were no human casualties.
The photo shows the habitat of physalia.

Physalia poison: how to protect yourself

In case of contact with physalia, it is recommended to see a doctor. There is a lot of conflicting advice regarding first aid for a burn. It could be flushing sea ​​water, vinegar, hot water followed by ice application.

If physalia were found on the surrounding beaches, it is recommended to refrain from swimming during this period. Often they are thrown ashore, so you should carefully walk along the beaches so as not to get on one of them. Even separately lying tentacles, which also cause burns, are dangerous.

portuguese boat or physalia(lat. Physalia physalis) - similar to a floating colony of polyps, forming a single organism. Its tentacles contain a large number of stinging cells that are dangerous to humans.

Description

Externally, the Portuguese boat (lat. Physalia physalis) resembles a jellyfish, only instead of a dome near the physalia there is a large bubble filled with ordinary air with a large amount of carbon monoxide, which keeps it on the surface of the water. This bubble outwardly resembles the sail of an 18th-century Portuguese ship, which is why the animal was given the name - Portuguese boat. Other important difference physalia from jellyfish lies in the fact that, unlike jellyfish, this is not one multicellular organism, but colonial organism, consisting of specialized individual protozoa of the same species, called polyps or zooids. These polyps are connected to each other and are physiologically integrated in such a way that they cannot survive separately and therefore must exist together and act as one animal. In what follows, for simplicity, we will often refer to the Portuguese man-of-war as a single organism, but you must remember that this is not entirely true in general.

The sail of the Portuguese boat is bilaterally symmetrical, with tentacles on one side only. Translucent. Blue or purple color prevails, sometimes pink or lilac is found. The sail reaches 30 cm in length and can rise 15 cm above the water. It is equipped with a “siphon”, with which the physalia can release air and briefly go under water. This mechanism is used as a defensive reaction when attacked. But natural enemies the boat doesn't have much. Only a few can prey on them - the mouth of turtles is very hard, and the poison does not get inside the tissues.

Usually the length of the tentacles does not exceed half a meter. But it is not uncommon for them to grow up to 10 m in length. Cases of the discovery of Portuguese ships with 30-meter tentacles have been documented! These tentacles constantly scour underwater in search of medium-sized fish and small planktonic animals. The ship pulls the stung prey to the dome, where there are digestive polyps, the so-called gastrozoids, which envelop the victim and digest with the help of special secreting enzymes.

Habitat

Found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Always stays close to the surface of the water. Since it has no means of transportation, it follows the currents and the wind. Usually found in warm tropical and subtropical waters, but can easily be carried into colder waters. northern waters. There are known cases of detection of physalia off the coast of Canada and Great Britain. They are rarely seen alone, and if one Portuguese man-of-war has been sighted, there are almost certainly others nearby.

At high tide it can be close to the shore. Strong wind and the waves are capable of carrying a Portuguese boat to land. Once on land for some time (up to a day) it is able to sting. You can often find news about the closure of entire beaches, when after storms the coast is strewn with dangerous animals.

The record for the number of victims among people affected by the Portuguese boat is held by Australia. Every year, especially in summer, up to 10,000 cases of burns (not fatal) are recorded here. It is especially common in east coast continent.

physalia poison

During a burn with the tentacles of a Portuguese boat, a person experiences very severe pain. Red scars remain at the site of the bite, which do not subside for several days. The pain disappears within 1-3 hours, depending on the age of the person and the individual tolerance of the poison. The main danger of a bite is that the poison can penetrate the lymph nodes and cause an allergic reaction, including swelling of the larynx, blockage of the airways, heart failure. Sometimes there is fever and shock, in rare cases - death.

Medical intervention is required with a large number of burns, difficulty breathing and pain that does not stop for more than 3 hours after the bite. Treatment begins with washing the wounds with a 3-5% solution of vinegar (usual fresh water destroys cells with poison, increasing pain) - this removes not yet "worked" stinging cells. Modern research However, it is not recommended to use vinegar to treat burns, because in some cases this only aggravates the symptoms.

Symbiosis

The Portuguese boat swims surrounded by some types of fish that are not susceptible to its poison - juvenile military fish, kulihu (coolihoo) and "homeless" clown fish. The latter can move freely inside the dangerous tentacles of the physalia - because of the fish mucus, the stinging cells do not work. Other fish stay near the sail, where there are not many stinging cells.

It is believed that in this way small fish avoid others. predatory fish. But for the Portuguese boat, such a symbiosis is very useful - small fish attracts other careless fish that he preys on.

Video

portuguese boat

Portuguese boat washed up on the beach