Physalia, or Portuguese boats. Portuguese man-of-war - a jellyfish that can ruin your vacation Portuguese man-of-war belongs to the type of chordates

In Thailand - Knighton, 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, 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- gastrozoans. Behind them are spirally twisted movable tentacles - dactylozoids. In most physalia, they reach 10-20 cm; in the Pacific physalia, one of the tentacles, the so-called lasso, can reach 13 or more meters in length. At the ends of each tentacle are poisonous stinging cells. When the fish stumbles upon them, the poison from the capsules paralyzes the prey, and the tentacle pulls it up to the mouth opening.

Why are physalia dangerous to humans?

In contact with physalia, a person can get a large, painful burn. Blisters appear on the victim's skin, lymph nodes increase, sweating increases, nausea appears, and it becomes difficult to breathe. The bite victim may have swollen or numb hands or feet. If the tentacles touch the spine, it can lead to paralysis, which is deadly when swimming in a pond.

In physalia thrown ashore, the poison retains its properties. Even a dried tentacle that has fallen on the beach as a result of a storm causes irritation, an allergic reaction.

Where are physalia found?

Physalia are found in the tropical Atlantic, the Mediterranean, off the Hawaiian Islands, and off the coast of southern Japan. Portuguese ships often fall into the Gulf Stream and are carried by this current to the English Channel to the shores of England and France.

What precautions should be taken?

If, while swimming in the sea, you saw an approaching boat, you should immediately sail away from it, it is better to go ashore.

In the habitat of the physalis, you should also be careful on the beach. If a storm has recently passed, the wind can easily carry the poisonous tentacles of the physalis along the coast. This phenomenon is called "purple rain".

If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

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 boat(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 the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF PHYSALIA (PORTUGUESE SHIP)

And finally, about poisonous hydroids - physalia who received for their appearance Name " portuguese boat". 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 colorless, they merge with sea ​​water and difficult to see for swimmers.

Numerous tentacles of physalia are equipped with special stinging cells called nooses. Inside the cells is a poisonous liquid. This poison is necessary for the jellyfish in order to kill the fish that the physalia feeds on. If you collect pieces of tentacles containing nooses with poison into a thimble and inject them under the skin, they will die in a few seconds. For a thousand mice, just one thimble is enough.

« portuguese boat" can be found in the tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and species of physalia close to it live off the southern coast of Japan and the Hawaiian Islands. On the surface of the water, this animal is very beautiful. The upper part of it is brightly colored and vaguely resembles the colors of the old Portuguese sailboats, hence the name of this animal. If you look closely at the physalia, which rises about 30 cm in length above the sea surface, you can see how it shimmers with blue, violet and purple colors due to the reflection of sunlight from its faces. Sometimes you can observe the accumulation of physalia in coastal waters. Perhaps this is because during this period of life the animal can find much more food here. However, for bathers, this undoubtedly poses a real threat, since the number of people affected by the stinging cells of the physalis is sharply increasing. A person in contact with a physalia receives a severe burn. Fortunately, physalium poison is not fatal for humans, however, it leads to a drop in blood pressure, an increase in heart rate, and often to loss of consciousness. Physalium toxins are high-molecular peptides, the action of which is aimed primarily at the defeat nervous system and hearts.

physalis poison very resistant. If dried tentacles are stored in the refrigerator, they retain their toxic properties for almost six years. If we compare such a small jellyfish as a sea wasp with physalia in terms of toxicity, then the poison of the latter is not only more toxic, but also extremely dangerous for humans.

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 the only dangerous things at sea are predatory fish. 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 terrible. 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 touch the 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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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.

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.

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. The boat moves only thanks to the wind or the flow of water. Another part of it is hidden under water - poisonous tentacles. Their length can reach 30 meters!

They are equipped with stinging cells, which, like small harpoons, pierce prey and inject poison, which is also dangerous for humans. After contact with the tentacles, severe burns remain on the skin. To relieve pain and destroy the poison, ordinary 3% -5% vinegar helps.

Physalia is especially dangerous for children, the elderly and people with an increased allergic reaction. There is a known case with lethal outcome. In the spring of this year, policeman Igor Kuznetsov died from a jellyfish bite, who ran into her in Egypt during a vacation. He was taken to Moscow by a special flight of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, but Russian doctors failed to pull him out of a coma. Beauty is sometimes dangerous, deadly.

For small fish and crustaceans, meeting with her guarantees a quick death. But there is one fish from the perch order, which is not susceptible to physalia poison. The boat and this fish have developed a wonderful strategy of mutual assistance: the fish serves as a bait for future victims of the physalia, and itself feeds on the remains of prey and the dead ends of the jellyfish tentacles. This is such a wonderful tandem.

But still, the Portuguese boat can also become someone's dinner. Medusa is happy to eat big-headed sea ​​turtle And