Scientists describe new box jellyfish species in the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers at the University of Alicante and the UA Marine Laboratory in Dénia formally described a new jellyfish species, Copula lucentia, in the waters off El Campello, Spain.

The tiny jellyfish, which measures between 1 and 7 millimeters, was identified from specimens collected between 2016 and 2018. The team published their findings in the journal Marine Biodiversity in 2024 after combining genetic analyses with morphological studies.

The discovery marks only the second time a box jellyfish species, a group of jellyfish with cube-shaped bells, has been documented in the Mediterranean Sea. The researchers found the specimens at depths of less than 1.5 meters in habitats consisting of seagrass meadows and sandy or rocky seabeds. The name Copula lucentia honors Lucentum, the Latin name for Alicante, where the jellyfish has only been recorded so far.

Researchers and the Oceanogràfic in Valencia are now working together to study the jellyfish in a controlled environment. The Oceanogràfic currently houses more than 200 specimens in its Medusa Lab to observe their life cycles and reach sexual maturity. This collaboration aims to help scientists understand the ecological role of small gelatinous organisms, which can impact fisheries by preying on fish eggs and larvae.