A team of university students in Japan identified an entirely new species of the mighty Portuguese Man O’War. Described in a study recently published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the creature’s distinct features and fearsome venom have earned it a name that honors a famous 16th century samurai warrior.
It’s easy to mistake the Portuguese Man O’War (Physalia physalis) for a jellyfish. After all, it features a squishy “head” and venomous tendrils extending as far as 100 feet down into the ocean waters. These tentacles contain a potent neurotoxin that immobilizes its prey—as well as injure thousands of beachgoers around the world every year.
Our Score
Click to rate this post!
[Total: 0 Average: 0]
