Senkevich This is how he talked about his meeting with the "ship":"Without thinking, I grabbed her, and roared in pain, feverishly began to wash my fingers sea ​​water, but the sticky slime kept up. An attempt to wash the mucus with soap was also unsuccessful. His hands burned and ached, his fingers flexed with difficulty. Spraying anesthetic medicine from a special spray gun relieved the pain for a few minutes, but she immediately returned with new force. The fingers were no longer bent, the pain began to spread to the shoulders and further to the region of the heart, the general state of health was disgusting. He took two tablets of analgin, validol, pyramidon and, as they say, fell into bed. I was shaking with chills. It subsided gradually. At first I felt better right hand, then left. The pain subsided only after five hours. But the discomfort lasted for a long time ... "

Sometimes Portuguese boats get into the Gulf Stream and are carried by this current to the English Channel. 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.

"portuguese boat"- this is not even one jellyfish, but a colony of one or two hundred jellyfish and polyps. The colonies of the ship look like unusually elegant balls, often drifting on the surface of the ocean in whole "flotillas". From time to time, the ship dips the float into the water so that the membrane does not dry out .
(www.examen.ru)
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. This poison is unusually resistant to drying and freezing, and the tentacles of the siphonophore, which had lain for six (!) years in the refrigerator, perfectly retained their deadly properties.
(old.vesti.ru)
Despite the toxicity of physalia, some sea turtles eat them in huge quantities. People, of course, do not eat physalia, but they also find use for them. Farmers in Guadeloupe (Caribbean) and Colombia use the dried tentacles of physalis as poison for rats.
(www.examen.ru)
... there is a representative of the sea kingdom, to whom physalia is not only not an enemy, but, on the contrary, a necessary companion (although friendship is understood here in a very peculiar way). This is the tremoctopus violaceus octopus. He calmly cuts off the poisonous threads of the "Portuguese boat" and winds them around the four front "arms". Now the octopus is armed, dangerous and extraordinarily beautiful (of course, from the point of view of the octopus). The tentacles of the physalia do not harm him, but serve as an excellent means of attack.
(www.hiking.ru)

Portuguese boat (lat. Physalia physalis) belong to very primitive, but very interesting invertebrate organisms - siphonophores, close relatives of jellyfish familiar to all of us. This is perhaps one of the most numerous inhabitants of the ocean surface.

They are held on the surface by an air bubble - a pneumatophore, which sometimes has impressive dimensions - up to 15-20 cm. Relatively short digestive organs- gastrozoids, and among their thick fringe spirally twisted trapping tentacles - dactylozoids go down. Their dimensions often reach 30 meters, and they can be reduced to 1/70 of their original length.

Physalia tentacles - very formidable weapon. Woe to the crustaceans or small fish that touch them: thousands of poisoned arrows dig into their body, causing paralysis and quick death. I have repeatedly experienced their aggressive temper on myself - often the backbone of the tuna layer is entangled with tentacles of physalia, which, in the heat of fishing passions, are not always noticed in time. A thin thread fluttering in the wind, like a merciless biting whip, burns an unprotected body.

The physalia are very brightly colored: the sail-pneumatophore casts in blue, violet and purple colors, and the long dactylozoids are ultramarine, and it is very difficult to see them in the water. On the surface of the water, physalia move without expending energy. The obliquely set crest of the pneumatophore plays the role of a rigid sail and forces the physalia to swim under acute angle to the wind.

The sight of such a sailing flotilla sailing in one direction is impressive. The way they move on the surface has long been compared to the movement of a sailing ship. They got their name "Portuguese boat" in the 15th century after the famous caravels of Henry the Navigator.

Physalia are common in tropical and sub tropical waters all oceans. In the Sea of ​​Japan, they are observed relatively rarely, here they are recorded in summer period Tsushima Current. They can also be found in the south of the South Kuril region.

Senior Researcher Laboratory of Ichthyology, IBM FEB RAS, Candidate of Biological Sciences A. S. Sokolovsky.

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.

   Class - hydroid
   Row - Siphonophores
   Family - Jellyfish
   Genus/Species - Physalia physalia

   Basic data:
DIMENSIONS
Length: body 9-35 cm, stinging threads are usually 15 m, in very rare cases they 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: several months.

RELATED SPECIES
Among the siphonophores, there are many different types, whole line of which is known as physalia. At least 20 different species have been found in the Mediterranean region alone. 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

   Physalia often swim in warm seas in groups that number several thousand individuals. Transparent and sparkling in the sun, the bubble rises about 15 cm above the water and becomes like a small sail. Surprisingly worthy of the fact that this creature can swim even against the wind, without losing its intended course. Physalia is usually found near the coast, but in the warm months of the year it also drifts willingly towards the earth's poles. Strong winds that blow towards the shore, are even capable of throwing this sea ​​creature on land.

BREEDING

   It is not known exactly how physalia reproduces. It was found, however, that it reproduces asexually and that there are polyps in the colonies that are responsible for reproduction. They create new colonies.
   Thus, jellyfish are able to tirelessly multiply, this explains why such a huge number of jellyfish appear in the seas and oceans. Also, experts have suggested that the Portuguese boat, dying, releases into the ocean whole bunches of jellyfish individuals, which develop reproductive products that serve to form new jellyfish.

SPECIAL BODY

   The tentacles of the Portuguese boat are armed large quantity poisonous capsules. They are very small, each of them has a twisted empty tube, which is covered with delicate hairs. Any touch by the growth, such as accidentally touching a passing fish, activates the stinging mechanism. Fibers with a poisonous substance, like small harpoons, pierce prey, while remaining connected to the tentacles, their dangerous poison is similar in composition to cobra venom. This venom kills fish and causes fever, shock, and breathing problems in humans.
  

DO YOU KNOW WHAT...

• 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.
• Sailors called this jellyfish "Portuguese boat" XVIII century who talked about a creature that floats like a medieval Portuguese warship.
• by the most poisonous representative 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)

   An air bubble (pneumatophore) rises above the surface of the water, which serves as a sail for the physalia. It is filled with a gas similar in composition to air, but has a high content of nitrogen and carbon dioxide and a smaller amount of oxygen. During a storm, the air from the bubble can be released, and then the physalia is under water. Physalia is characterized by the phenomenon of bioluminescence. She is one of two species that produces red light.
   Often between the tentacles of physalia is a small fish from a number of perches. It is immune to its venom and serves as a bait for prey, which the physalia draws into the field of action of its tentacles. This fish then feeds on the remains of prey and the dead remains of physalia tentacles.

PLACES OF ACCOMMODATION
Lives in warm seas, but most often found in the bays of the northern part Atlantic Ocean and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
PRESERVATION
It is not known how physalia is affected by pollution of the seas and a decrease in the number of fish. However, it is not currently threatened with extinction.

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 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. These can be washing with 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.

Class - hydroid

Detachment - Siphonophores

Family - Jellyfish

Genus/Species - Physalia physalia

Basic data:

DIMENSIONS

Length: the body is 9-35 cm long, stinging threads are usually up to 15 m long, in extremely rare cases they can reach a length of 30 m.

BREEDING

It usually reproduces asexually by budding. Polyps separate from the main colony in order to then establish new ones.

LIFESTYLE

Behavior: drifting into the sea.

Food: all small fish.

Lifespan: several months.

RELATED SPECIES

Among the siphonophores, there are many various kinds, a number of which are known as physalia. Only in mediterranean sea found at least 20 different species of this jellyfish. Other jellyfish are close relatives of physalia.

The “Portuguese boat” or “Portuguese warship” (as the physalia jellyfish is sometimes called for the resemblance of its body to this ship) is actually a whole colony various types polyps of the same species. Each of the polyps in the colony has its own function.

Portuguese boat jellyfish video

PHYSALIA'S LIFESTYLE

Physalia (see photo) often swim in warm seas numerous groups, numbering often 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, a huge number of jellyfish are born in the seas and oceans. It is assumed that this jellyfish is able to reproduce in another way - there is an opinion that the physalia jellyfish - a Portuguese warship, dying, throws whole bunches of jellyfish into the ocean, which form reproductive products that serve to create new jellyfish.

SPECIAL ORGANIZATION OF PHYSALIA

The tentacles of the jellyfish are armed with many poisonous capsules. The capsules are very small, each a twisted empty tube covered with fine hairs. With any contact, for example, with a fish passing by, the stinging mechanism is activated. Physalia venom is similar in composition to cobra venom. Exposure to poison on fish leads to their death, in humans, burns with the poison of a Portuguese boat lead to severe pain, fever, chills, shock, and breathing problems.

INTERESTING INFO ABOUT THE PORTUGUESE BOAT...

• Physalia - is a joint colony of modified jellyfish and polyps, so closely related to each other that they show all the features of a holistic organism.
• "Portuguese ship" this jellyfish was nicknamed by sailors of the XVIII century, who talked about a jellyfish that swims like a medieval Portuguese warship.
• The most poisonous variety of physalia lives in the Indian and Pacific oceans, its poison is mortal danger for a person.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF PHYSALIA (PORTUGUESE WARSHIP)

An air sac (pneumatophore) rises above the water, which serves as a sail for the physalia. It is filled with a gas that is different from the surrounding air great content nitrogen and carbon dioxide and less oxygen. During a storm, the gas from the bubble can be released, due to which the physalia can sink under water. Also, physalia is characterized by the phenomenon of bioluminescence. She is one of only two species that glow red.

Often small perches swim among the tentacles of the physalia. These fish are in symbiosis with the Portuguese boat, since they are insensitive to the poison of the physalia, they receive protection from enemies from it, as well as the remnants of food from its table, and the prey itself swims into the tentacles of the physalia, seduced by the sight of harmless fish.

- area of ​​physalia

WHERE THE PORTUGUESE SHIP Dwells

Physalia jellyfish lives in warm seas and oceans, most often the Portuguese boat can be found in Cuba and in the bays of the North Atlantic Ocean, as well as in the subtropical Pacific and Indian Oceans.

PRESERVATION

It is not known how physalia is affected by pollution of the seas and oceans. But in this moment The disappearance of this jellyfish is not threatened.