Billions Dead Off the Coast of Florida

Gelatinous invertebrates have been emerging all across the eastern seaboard. In efforts to understand this unexpected development, scientists have gathered from across the globe to elucidate the mysterious forces at play. In an exclusive interview, COI correspondent and leading marine biologist in the study of Scyphozoa discussed newly found evidence linking this sudden migration to their increasingly neurotoxic venom. Jellyfish venoms are composed of potent proteinaceous porins (cellular membrane pore-forming toxins), neurotoxic peptides, bioactive lipids, and other small molecules whilst the tubules contain ancient collagens and chitins. Most jellyfish commonly dine on fish, shrimp, crabs, and tiny plants, certain metabolites of which are used to biosynthesize their deadly venom. Due to the increasing availability of certain foods, Jellyfish have been creating and storing supraphysiological amounts of venom. The implications of these findings were clear, at the end of the interview he left us with this final remark - “Tentacle go zap" - Mr. Scientist Ph.D.