{"id":54049,"date":"2026-05-21T06:15:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T22:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=54049"},"modified":"2026-05-21T06:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T22:15:09","slug":"scientists-discover-deadly-highly-venomous-box-jellyfish-near-singapores-island-of-death-behind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=54049","title":{"rendered":"Scientists discover deadly, highly venomous box jellyfish near Singapore&#8217;s &#8216;Island of Death Behind&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-50387cc6-45c6-444d-9fd4-b6da8bee0ee1\">Scientists have described a new species of highly venomous box jellyfish based on specimens that were lurking near a Singaporean island formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati, or the &#8220;Island of Death Behind,&#8221; in 2020 and 2021.<\/p>\n<p>The newly described species, <em>Chironex blakangmati<\/em>, was named after the island&#8217;s original, ominous name in Malay, rather than its name since 1972, Sentosa, which means &#8220;peace and tranquility.&#8221; That&#8217;s fitting, given how dangerous the animal is.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-50387cc6-45c6-444d-9fd4-b6da8bee0ee1-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><em>C. blakangmati <\/em>is one of four known species of <em>Chironex<\/em> box jellyfish, all of which are incredibly venomous. Their stings, delivered via special cells on their tentacles called nematocysts, are so powerful they can kill humans. And unlike most other jellyfish that simply ride on currents, <em>Chironex<\/em> box jellies can actively identify and swim toward prey thanks to their strong musculature and complex eyes.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-[#333]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-[#333]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-normal&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-70a3bc70-3bc0-419a-af0a-666f77afe5c7\">Previously, scientists had mistaken <em>C. blakangmati<\/em> for another box jellyfish species, <em>C. yamaguchii<\/em>. However, it turns out that these box jellies are different, both genetically and morphologically, scientists reported in a new study, published May 15 in the journal <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg\/rbz\/chironex-box-jellyfishes-cnidaria-cubozoa-chirodropida-in-singapore-chironex-blakangmati-new-species-and-range-extension-of-c-indrasaksajiae\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg\/rbz\/chironex-box-jellyfishes-cnidaria-cubozoa-chirodropida-in-singapore-chironex-blakangmati-new-species-and-range-extension-of-c-indrasaksajiae\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Raffles Bulletin of Zoology<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;<em>C. blakangmati<\/em> looks remarkably like <em>Chironex yamaguchii<\/em> \u2014 a jellyfish species I first discovered in Okinawa while doing my master&#8217;s degree there,&#8221; study co-author <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.agri.tohoku.ac.jp\/en\/researcher\/ames-cheryl-lynn\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.agri.tohoku.ac.jp\/en\/researcher\/ames-cheryl-lynn\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Cheryl Ames<\/u><\/a>, a professor of applied marine biology at Tohoku University in Japan and a research associate at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., said in a <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tohoku.ac.jp\/en\/press\/new_species_of_venomous_box_jellyfish_discovered_in_singapore.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.tohoku.ac.jp\/en\/press\/new_species_of_venomous_box_jellyfish_discovered_in_singapore.html\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>statement<\/u><\/a>. &#8220;But we realized they were completely distinct. I actually went back to dust off an old sample of <em>C. yamaguchii<\/em> I still had in storage in Okinawa to help with the comparisons!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The researchers found that the newly identified species lacks branched canal structures at the bottom of its bell-shaped body that <em>C. yamaguchii<\/em> and the other two <em>Chironex<\/em> species, <em>C. fleckeri <\/em>and <em>C. indrasaksajiae<\/em>, exhibit. Specifically, these canals sit within the perradial lappets, which are flaps reinforcing the musculature that propels box jellyfish when they swim. Together with genetic discrepancies, this anatomical difference confirmed that <em>C. blakangmati<\/em> is a separate species, according to the statement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our thorough review and analysis of all the <em>Chironex<\/em> species known to date reveal a lot about these box jellyfishes,&#8221; study co-author <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg\/staffs\/assoc-prof-huang-danwei-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg\/staffs\/assoc-prof-huang-danwei-2\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Danwei Huang<\/u><\/a>, an associate professor in the National University of Singapore&#8217;s Department of Biological Sciences and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, said in the statement.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Hbp4RcBgJqSh773m29oArA\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-Hbp4RcBgJqSh773m29oArA slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Get the world\u2019s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-48874b40-e204-446c-b034-f1e2b6ff4703\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1384px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:64.23%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1384-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1384-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-768-80.png.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-415-80.png.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-360-80.png.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R.png\" alt=\"A map of Singapore showing the locations of five Chironex box jellyfish sightings.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1384-80.png 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1384-80.png 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1280-80.png 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-1024-80.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-768-80.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-415-80.png 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-360-80.png 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R-320-80.png 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7awHqgfPjWUhVrWiGGob8R.png\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] expandable\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>The analysis was based on jellyfish specimens that washed up on Singapore beaches in 2020 and 2021. The newfound species is marked in blue, while Thai sea wasps are shown in red.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a713ef5e-f4cb-427e-b1e7-11f8842c3a9c\">The results also revealed for the first time that <em>C. indrasaksajiae<\/em>, which is typically found off the coast of Thailand, is present in Singapore&#8217;s waters. Nicknamed the Thai sea wasp, this species can be deadly.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-34cf9974-667b-4423-8ad9-12724583ce1e\">&#8220;We were surprised to find <em>C. indrasaksajiae<\/em> so far away from Thailand,&#8221; Ames said. &#8220;Recording range expansions like these is really important, as we currently know so little about the biodiversity and spatial distribution of box jellyfish.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>A better understanding of the distribution of box jellies could help prevent severe injuries and deaths in humans, according to the statement.<\/p>\n<p>Records suggest box jellyfish stings cause around 40 deaths per year globally, but <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/researchers-may-have-antidote-deadliest-jellyfish-sting-earth\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/researchers-may-have-antidote-deadliest-jellyfish-sting-earth\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>some experts think<\/u><\/a> that number is a huge underestimate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-6\" id=\"elk-85ca1b7c-b6ac-4913-876f-3a2dc95499f1\">\n<div class=\"[&amp;_a]:text-[#2f6e91] [&amp;_a]:visited:text-[#09c] p-5 bg-[#F5F5F5] text-sm text-[#333]\">\n<p class=\"infoVerified-by tracking-[.02em] pt-2 text-base font-normal\">Iesa, I., Ames, C. L., Yap, N. W. L. &amp; Huang, D. (2026). <em>Chironex<\/em> box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Chirodropida) in Singapore: <em>Chironex blakangmati<\/em>, new species, and range extension of <em>C<\/em>. <em>indrasaksajiae. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg\/rbz\/chironex-box-jellyfishes-cnidaria-cubozoa-chirodropida-in-singapore-chironex-blakangmati-new-species-and-range-extension-of-c-indrasaksajiae\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg\/rbz\/chironex-box-jellyfishes-cnidaria-cubozoa-chirodropida-in-singapore-chironex-blakangmati-new-species-and-range-extension-of-c-indrasaksajiae\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.26107\/RBZ-2026-0026<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/animals\/aquatic-animals\/deadly-highly-venomous-box-jellyfish-discovered-near-singapore-is-a-newfound-species\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Scientists have described a new species of highly venomous box jellyfish based on specimens that were lurking near a Singaporean island formerly known as Pulau&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54049"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/54050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}