Well, the 6th Annual Jellyfish Jamboree got off to a slow start on June 15th (to July 15th) but is heating up fast. Initially, only a variety of stinging siphonophores we seen or reported. Some very nifty ones out in the blue water. Plus a large sea walnut was photographed. Last month sea lice (stinging jelly larvae) and Man-O-War were plentiful on the east coast.

Today, a BBBJ (Bonaire Banded Box Jelly) was captured by Marijke and Bud at Divi in the swimming area (specimen permits on file). Photos to come. Specimen will be going to the Smithsonian Institute in DC for genetics and morphological research. This is the new species of Tamoya and will be officially named later this summer. This is #44 in the official sightings history. 40 on Bonaire. Sting results on request.

Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday forms the 8-10 day window after a full moon for the swarming of Alatina (was Carybdea..see DeLoach/Humann) the clear box jelly. We are doing research to find out if this really is a reproductive party. We will be trying to find a swarm each night to collect gametes and an adult to raise juvie jellies. CIEE has graciously agreed to use their microscope labs.

You can get into the action by posting and describing any jelly(fish) you see. Pics are really helpful and has allowed BT to be a key tool is doing jelly research.

So let us know what you see. Remember Bonaire is one of the most jelly-free islands in the Caribbean. Remember ostracod night is Thursday.

Keep jelling,
Bud

Bud,

Trying to get a read on your position on jellys. I know little about them other than they can hurt (and sometimes kill) you.

Are they considered a pest? Do they help or hurt the reef environment? Is it something, similar to lionfish, that we want to try to keep away from Bonaire?

Most of my questions popped up because of your statement about Bonaire being one of the most jelly-free islands. While I think that some jellyfish are truly magnificent to look at, they obviously have some serious issues that make being in the water with them worse than things we fear much more (i.e. sharks.)

Just curious.

e.

e and BT buddies,

All species of jellies are part of the oceans (and some lakes) biodiversity. They are part of nature and highly important to the biomass of food chains. For their seeming simplicity, they are highly complex animals. We are just beginning to understand that. My focus is research and education. They are a primary food source for many animals including sea turtles, mola molas, tuna, triggers, and more.

Currently, many species of jellies are in "jellies gone wild" mode. For some researchers, jellies are the new canaries in the coalmine, that allow us to gauge the relative health of the oceans. Their population explosions are a telling factor we need to understand. But this is not a parallel to the lionfish problem in any sense.

Of course some jellies are dangerous, some very dangerous, which is a warning to everyone. The spectrum of responses to seeing the newly captured BBBJ is across the spectrum, from "what a magnificent animal" to complete fear.

I believe providing real information and education about jellies to folks provides a way to change fear into appreciation. In many cases allowes them to "be prepared". I have been posting information about jellies (et al) on BT since it started. I receive emails almost daily with inquiries about jellies, many are from BTers looking for help or reporting stings or sightings.

I continue to work with the medical staff on Bonaire to provide them with information about jellies and current practices. In turn they have provided historical data on stings. There is a hunger to know what to do with stings. And what not to do (like peeing and fresh water).

Similarly, BTers have been a real source of research information about jellies. So little is known about many jellies, it is the citizens doing the science. Think of the birdwatchers around the world, they provide great value to biology and ecology of birds. Likewise, you folks in the water provide "eyes on" the appearance and biology of jellies. In the case of the new species of box jelly, BBBJ, research started in 2001 and only now, this summer, will it get its publishing in ZooTaxa, as a new species. A lot of folks, me the most, have learned a tremendous amount about this jelly, scientific investigation, and the nature of science, in these research efforts. Many have been thrilled to be part of the actual research process and get to work with something new in nature.

I don't have a position or angle on jellies. They speak for themselves. Discovery Channel, et al, have made box jellies at household name. But there are 40 species of Cubozoans known today. There are more to be found. Yesterday I received an email from the former Chief Cnidarian expert at the Smithsonian, about a new species of boxie off Puerto Rico that has not been described. My point is that we can all contribute to science in some way. The times I have heard stories about not liking science in school or not doing well in science classes, but this is "fun" or "interesting". This is why I do the Jellyfish Jamboree, to get people involved in the pursuit of nature around them. One day sitting in the teacher's lunchroom of our high school, Ned Deloach said to me, "Bud, I have an idea for a book..." We all knew the rest of the story. It is probably sitting on your shelves.

So, like the stellar work by Ned or Ellen Muller with her nudibranches or Jerry with his work in biodiversity or the many others, seeing and understanding the wonders of nature is part of our being and at the core of curiosity. Jellies provide a peek into that universe.

Bud Gillan

Bud, would it help your research to provide an area on BT specifically for people to report jellyfish and other animals of interest in your research? You might be surprised how many people would post pictures, dates, times, weather conditions, etc.

e.

e
we did something like that for a couple of years and it helped. to keep it simple folks can post here including pics. if they chose the can email me the pics directly. i document the data and update it at the Smithsonian. pics are also posted on flickr at Dr. Allen Collins sight.

btw, there have been some really exceptional pics taken, including the original from the serious sting BBBJ by the Richters. They are pros. Also Ned D sent me a pic from St. Lucia. Recently, Ellen M took a really interesting one with reddish banding.

thanks for the suggestions, those are actually the data we need, so you have remember folks of what is needed. These summers months are the heaviest for BBBJ sightings, though they are seen year round.

Box Jelly Swarming on Bonaire.

On the 9th and 10th days (Mon, Tues) after the full moon, Carybdea xaymacana, an ultra clear belled and purple tentacled Cubozoan swarmed off the coast of Bonaire. There were hundreds of them in the water that then washed up on shore. Like salmon swimming listlessly in their "spent" mode before dying, these box jellies were disoriented and unable to escape the tides and waves.

The swarming is thought to be a worldwide species event for reproduction. But it is normally Alatina that swarms. So some new science was learned here on Monday and Tuesday.

CIEE allowed us to do microscopic analysis in their brand new lab. Eggs, sperm, zygotes, and larva were found in abundance. We were actually able to watch several of larval planulae form into beginning juvie jellies. We also examined their eyes, digestive cirri, and nematocysts. Pretty crazy stuff.

We also did sting tests both nights. Unfortunately a church camper was stung by the same species in Lac and had to be hospitalized (and released).

Please report any jelly sightings for our Jellyfish Jamboree. There is a lot in the water these days. And quite safe.

Bud

Coocoocachu Jellyman!

We saw the BBBJ and it is a pretty impressive specimen! (Bud showed us it the safety of his livingroom!)

Bud is a wealth of knowledge and a pretty cool dude! He and Rianna chatted and she even remembered what he told her! She is not so worried about the jellies anymore.

We only saw one jelly and it was small but we are keeping are eyes wide open so we spot them!

R.A. and Rianna (the artist).

Well it was fun chatting with you folks. Well is a gelatinous one for you. The pteropod or sea butterfly, a small about 2 cm, on tne drift snorkel from Ole Blue to Karpata. Looks like this, but very transparent in the juvie stage.

http://ladiving.smugmug.com/gallery/5562755_GEHfC/1/350762366_VLH88/Medium

Hey folks join in. There are lots of interesting jellies now.

There are a variety of siphonophores in the water now, some that drift, some that extend yo-yo like sting packets that look dots (that zap), some that swim quite quickly snaking through the water.

Humam/Deloach have several in their Reef Creatures.

This is the final week of the Jelly Jamboree for this trip. I have heard a lot of unposted stories of sightings and wonder, a blue water orange-tentacled species was reported by a friend while swimming with dolphins (wow), a few stings stories, and quasi gelatinous organisms, pteropods, which are actually jelly molluscs (but should have their own phyla, imo).

Simultaneous to the 8-10 post full moon swarming here, box jellies in Hawaii (Waikiki, et al) swarming and stung for 3 days. Didn't read that in their travel brochure.

Go Oranje!!!!!!!!!
It will be wild here Sunday.

We just returned today from Bonaire. My wife already was looking at Bonaire Talk this evening.

We actually were snorkeling in the area south of Yellow Submarine during our stay and I noticed two box jellies (one on two different days, I think one was on June 29th and the other July 1st in the early afternoon around 1PM).

I did follow the jellies for more then a few minutes and I took a few photographs and a short video from my new digital camera, a small Canon D10. I also used my two older 35mm cameras.

When we get situated I will try to get the photographs and the video on the Talk.

If I can figure how to do it and if it will help anyone doing research. I will email what I have to whoever.

For me it was a great experience. This Bonaire Box Jelly can really swim at a speed I would not have expected and it also goes to different depths with ease and against what little current there was.

One time the one jelly actually rose from about five feet under the surface up to surface as if to get air then dropped back down. Also, on this day there were two other snorkelers in the water and I made them aware of what we were seeing just to be safe.

Until my wife just read this post I was not aware that there is so little known about this particular jelly.

We already miss Bonaire but we need to return to our world until next year.

Russ Miller Pat Miller
Lebanon PA USA

Hi Pat,

Yes the BBBJ is fast, agile, and seems to use its tentacles in locomotion along with its propelling action. And they can see you!

Were the box jellies you saw both with dark banded tentacles? I keep a database on these jellies.

I sent you an email with more info. Please post whatever you can. It didn't take long from the flight this morning to find more about Bonaire tonight...

Bonaire is addictive.

Bud, when you say "they can see you" do you mean that the BBBJ has better vision than most jellyfish? My understanding is that they have some sort of photoreceptors that can sense light from dark but not actually "see" in the classic sense.

e.

Eric,
You got that wonderful curiosity button pushed again. All 40+ species of Cubozoans (boxies) have eyes or optical systems. This is not a simple cluster of photoreceptors, but lenses, optic roots, etc. Scientists have been calling them eyes, but I like optical system, because this is still incognito to us. They can see distance, shading, light/dark, silhouettes/outlines, textures/contexts, and if you get close enough, you. At least this is what optical scientists in Sweden have discovered. Swimming with a BBBJ will indeed be interesting if you close enough they move accordingly. This trip we were looking at the box jellies that swarmed last week. Their eyes were indeed easy to see without our naked eyes. At 100x revealed a world that we are just understanding.

btw, some jelly proteins are now being used to help repair neurodegenerative diseases and put off aging. Irukandji stings also affect's E.D.

If you want to try them with peanut butter, they are quite salty, but it is sea salt....



Bud

Thanks. So much bad info on the internet. They can see but unlikely they'd be allowed to drive a car I guess is what you're saying.

So if a jelly starts coming at you, I guess the best defense is to turn tail and flee? Sounds like these guys are pretty quick, or is that a relative term?

e.

(And yes, I'm very curious about everything.)

R.A.
Thanks for your participation in this year's Jelly Jam. Now I am not quite sure where exactly you got stung and the kind of jelly. My son-in-law-to-be had a MOWar go down his boardshorts on the day I met him. If that helps.......

You provided funny stuff, nice kids, good advice.

Bud

You meet RA's kids? Aren't they great???

They are. They even made a jelly drawing for me. R.A. cooperated and got stung.
CB are you here now?

No, Bud. If I were, I'd be looking for you guys. Sorry to miss the Jamboree.

I am a great fan of RosAnne's kids. I'd hoped to certify Rianna before her next Bonaire trip; she'd really taken to scuba when we went in the pool a couple years ago. But I think she has other teenager type things on her mind at the moment...

Sorry for the momentary diversion....back to the jellyfish!

I could not share any visual confirmation with Bud...as the jelly that stung me must have been a guy and only had eyes for one thing if you catch my drift. Lets just say i washed my bathing suit top out many, many times!

Hmmmm RA..Well then... that sounds like one misogynist jelly to me!

R.A.
They don't call them "woman-of-war" now do they?

Thanks for being part of the Jelly Jam this year.

Next year you can be a team leader. You will be well-suited for it.

Bud

Bud, sent you an e-mail this morning.

Well folks, thanks for all the comments and emails. There is a lot of interest in jellies for many different reasons. There is so much to see in the sea.

Tomorrow is my last day and we plan a mega-adventure that you want to try. It is a drift snorkel from 1000 Steps to Karpata. About two miles. It is the last day of the Jelly Jamboree too so hopefully we will see some of those as well.

Box jellies have landed this week in northeast Florida. I haven't heard the species yet. Lots of stings though.

Keep jelling.
Bud

To keep a sense of the history of the Jelly Jamboree and the hunt for the Bonaire Banded Box Jelly, here is a link to the Richter Scale from 2006 and shows how far we have come.


http://blog.richterscale.org/index.php/weblog/comments/unknown_box_jellyfish_species/

And to last year with the BBBJ New Species Naming Contest. Plus a lot more about Bonaire's famous jelly.

http://www.yearofscience2009.org/themes_ocean_water/general/jellyfish.html

From June 28 to July 1 this month. 3 BBBJ's were sighted within a mile of each other.

1000 Steps to Ole Blue Drift Snorkel.

Well with the crazy backward wind, this turned into a snorkel swim. But on the final day of the Jelly Jam we saw several Venus Girdles, a zillion Olindias (round pulsing jellies that give you a hello zap), and beautiful red paired bell siphonophores.

And a first for me on Bonaire, seeing Goliath Groupers on a snorkel, not one but two. We followed one in 12ft deep plateau. Beautiful patterns and broad bands. The other was very dark and cruising on business. One had a remora tagging along too. Bonaire is still wonderful.

Of course if you see jellies, please keep posting the sightings.

these Photos were taken by Russ and Pat Miller

Thanks Fred for posting.

The Millers also saw another BBBJ 3 days earlier with part a tentacle missing also right in front Yellow Submarine. This means 3 BBBJs were sighted/documented in a 4 day window of time.
Fred can you post one of their June 28 photos?

These are beautiful animals and fast swimmers. July and August are the most common months for sighting BBBJs.

Bud

those are the only ones the Millers sent me.. I will gladly post if I get them....

Freddie{girl}

Bud asked me to post some pictures of the species (45th recorded) we captured. Unfortunately I did not have my camera when we spotted it but here is the link of the CBBJ in a jar. If you view it big you can see the eyes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mwilhelmus/4810070320/

The 36th recorded BBBJ I took pictures. A good picture you can find here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mwilhelmus/2680584616/

Marijke

(Message edited by marijkewil on July 20, 2010)

Are the jellies pretty much gone from the Bonaire area now? We are headed there tomorrow and were wondering if we should be on heightened alert or not...

Jellies live all across the Caribbean, so you can expect to find them. During this month's 8-10 day window (after full moon) there were 3 box jelly stings, one serious, on the Day 9.

Bonaire enjoys some of the safest, clearest waters of the Caribbean. UVA and UVB are much more dangerous than anything that lives there. Anyone in the water should be aware and alert, but not afraid. Fear, and its cousin, panic, are far more dangerous than the stuff you are worried about. Enjoy your trip, Bill, Bonaire is awesome.