Copula lucentia sp. nov., a new box jellyfish (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeida) from Western Mediterranean Sea

• DOI: 10.1007/s12526-024-01460-6
• Publication Date: 2024-08-22T06:21:11Z
• Authors: Eva S. Fonfría; Ilka Straehler-Pohl; Sérgio N. Stampar; Allen G. Collins; William Alan Hoverd; Cesar Bordehore
• Keywords: Scyphozoa; Hydrozoa

Abstract A new species of box jellyfish, Copula lucentia sp. nov., is described from El Campello, Spain, and compared to the holotype sivickisi that was successfully recovered after being lost for almost 60 years. So far, only cubozoan recorded in Western Mediterranean Carybdea marsupialis . The genus just included type ( ) reported different localities Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans. Morphologically, this possesses typical characteristics (four adhesive pads on apex a vertical keyhole-shaped rhopalial niche ostium) but it can be differentiated C. by velarial canal pattern. In roots taper towards rim each root bears one two narrow triangular canals with sharp tips, resembling bird beak. contrast, bear short, broad increase breadth split up into three- six-lobed, finger-like rounded giving pattern paw-like appearance. Molecular analyses mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) nuclear 16S ribosomal DNA genes confirm distinction show there are even more than expected, which will not focused here. This study highlights yet discovered Sea revision necessary.