Portuguese Man-of-War By: Amanda Warren

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Portuguese Man-of-War By
Amanda Warren

• Phylum Cnidaria
• Class Hydrozoa

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Common Habitats

• These organisms are infamous for their very
  painful, powerful sting and are very common in
  Hawaiian ocean waters.
• The man-of-war occurs in the tropical and
  subtropical regions of the Pacific and Indian
  oceans, and the Northern Atlantic Gulf Stream.
• They are commonly found in the open ocean and in
  bays and beaches during strong onshore winds.

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The Man-of-War

• These creatures are sometimes found floating and
  some are found swarming in groups of thousands.
• This animal is not a single animal but a colony
  of four kinds of highly modified polyps. These
  polyps are dependent on one another for survival.
  These polyps are concerned with detecting and
  capturing prey, reproducing, and feeding.

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Body Structure

• Their body consists of a gas-filled (nitrogen)
  bladder-like float.
• This bladder-like float is a translucent
  structure tinted pink, blue, or violet, which may
  be 3-12 inches long and may extend 6 inches above
  the water.
• Beneath the float are clusters of polyps from
  which hang tentacles of up to 165 feet in length.
  

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Reproduction

• Physalia reproduce sexually. The sperm of one
  mature Man-of-War fertilizes the egg of another
  reproducing larva.
• The larval Physalia reproduces itself by asexual
  reproduction to grow identical colonial offspring
  in and on itself.
• Asexual reproduction leads to rapid growth and
  sexual reproduction produces genetic
  differentiation, combined, both lead to rapid
  increase in species numbers.

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Tentacles

• The tentacles bear stinging nematocysts. These
  are coiled thread-like structures that paralyze
  their prey.
• These structures attach themselves to the victim
  and then digestion takes place.
• This creature will eat anything that it comes in
  contact with.

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Sting Effects

• Fever, shock, and interference with heart and
  lung action.
• The toxin secreted consists of a mixture of
  enzymes which is a neurotoxin that is about 75
  as powerful as cobra venom.
• When stung, carefully pick off any tentacles and
  rinse with fresh or salt water. For severe pain
  apply heat or cold, whichever feels better to the
  victim.

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• To avoid being stung watch for warning signs,
  which are posted as needed.

• picture

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