Denizens of the Deep Sea
Chironex Fleckeri
Life Cycle:CF exhibit twin-phased metagenetic development. This is an alternation between a sessile or stalked polyp and mobile medusa stages. The latter stage is however predominant.
The male and female sexes are difficult to tell apart by sight. It has gonads or sex organs in the form of four crescent-shaped cells around the opening.
During late Summer, matured males release sperm through the opening into the surrounding water which is later absorbed by the females. The sperm reaches the ovary fertilizing the eggs and thus forming zygotes that go into the oral arms of the cavity for further growth into worm-like larva called Planula.
The planula (pear-shaped) settles down on the sea bed attaching itself to the substratum before metamorphosis into a polyp. This polyp then multiplies through vegetative reproduction either by budding, stolonic growth and other cell divisions, forming a clone of ciliated polyps. In Spring these will later change to medusa and migrate down the river taking up pelagic or epipelagic life and grow into adults.
Systematics of Chironex Fleckeri
Morphology of Chironex Fleckeri
Mode of Life of Chironex Fleckeri
Behavior and Adaptation of Chironex Fleckeri