Cnidocyte
Videos
A cnidocyte is a type of cell containing a large secretory organelle called a cnidocyst, that can deliver a sting to other organisms as a way to subdue prey and defend against predators. A cnidocyte e
Nomarski micrograph of a ruthenium red-stained nematocyst from Aiptasia pallida, the pale anemone. The red dye stains the polyanionic venom proteins found inside the capsule of this partially-discharged nematocyst.
Nematocysts from Chironex fleckeri (400x magnification).
Portuguese man o' war
Videos
The Portuguese man o' war, also known as the man-of-war, bluebottle, or sometimes called Caravela Portuguesa, is a marine hydrozoan found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. While it is typic
Cnidocyte
…Other cnidarians, such as the jellyfish Cyanea capillata (the "Lion's Mane" made famous by Sherlock Holmes) or the siphonophore Physalia physalis (Portuguese man o' war, "Bluebottle") can cause extremely painful and sometimes fatal stings. On the other hand, aggregating sea anemones may have the lowest sting intensity…
Portuguese Man O War
Washed ashore on a beach in Boca Raton, Florida
The violet sea snail, which uses a raft of bubbles, as shown here, to float at the ocean surface, feeds on men o' war.
Man-of-war fish