MANILA, Philippines – Namataan sa katubigan ng Pilipinas ang mapanganib na species ng jellyfish na kilala sa Japan.
Nakitaan ng mga eksperto ng ebidensya na ang Chironex yamaguchii ay makikita sa tinatawag na Coral Triangle, o marine biodiversity hotspot, kabilang ang Pilipinas.
“Based on previous studies by marine researchers, a team of biologists hypothesized that Chironex yamaguchii, a dangerous species of box jellyfish known from Japan, is also present in Philippine waters,” saad sa pahayag na inilabas ng University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science.
“This box jellyfish was found to cause severe stings and even fatalities in the Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific regions. Their tentacles can inflict extreme pain, cause skin injuries with welts, and even trigger heart attacks and death.”
Sa kabila ng halos kaparehong physical characteristics, nadiskubre ng mga eksperto ang maliit na genetic differences sa pagitan ng Philippine at Japanese C. yamaguchii, na nagsasabing ang Philippine C. yamaguchii ay maaaring ibang species at nangangailangan pa ng kaukulang pag-aaral.
“Knowing the genetic diversity and distribution of C. yamaguchii helps in correctly identifying the jellyfish responsible for stings, which is crucial for effective treatment and management.”
“Understanding the presence of jellyfish populations in various regions can also help assess the risk of jellyfish stings in those areas, which can protect local communities and tourists.”
Kabilang sa layunin ng mga eksperto ay ang pagsasagawa ng pag-aaral para magpakalat ng awareness tungkol sa C. yamaguchii, at makatulong na magpatupad ng regulasyon o panuntunan sa beach safety at pangangasiwa ng jellyfish populations.
Ang research team ay binubuo nina Sheldon Rey Boco, Christine Gloria Grace Capidos at Dennis Talacay ng Philippine Jellyfish Stings Project kasama sina Raffy Jay Fornillos at Dr. Ian Kendrich Fontanilla ng University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Biology; Phuping Sucharitakul at Jonathan Lawley ng Griffith University’s School of Environment and Science in Queensland, Australia; Allen Collins ng Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History sa Washington, DC; Joseph Elliz Comendador ng National Museum of Natural History ng National Museum of the Philippines; at Facundo Rey Ladiao ng Leyte Normal University. RNT/JGC
