Ecological and medical aspects of jellyfish poisoning.

The results pertinent to monitoring and to some epidemiological, biochemical and toxicological aspects concerning some jellyfish species found in the Ligurian Sea from 1987 to 1992 are here reported. Monitoring was carried out almost daily during the period 1987-89 along the whole Gulf of Genova with particular reference to the Spotorno Bay (Savona). Further observations were carried out during 1990-92. On the whole, sighting normalization was everywhere noted after the bloom period. Epidemiological data, collected during six years (1984-89) didn't show particular impact of jellyfish on humans. Dry weight, lipid, protein and fatty acid analyses were performed on some body structures of Rhizostoma pulmo and Cotylorhiza tuberculata. Oral arms and gonads have the highest dry weight, lipid and protein content. The gonads of both species contain the highest fatty acid percentages, nevertheless, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were abundantly found in the different body structures. Rhizostoma pulmo and the benthic sea-anemone Anemonia sulcata showed the highest cytolytic effect on cultured fibroblasts; long-term growth inhibition was induced by toxin of Aequorea aequorea; Pelagia noctiluca showed low effectiveness.