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<p>The taxonomy of <i>Cyanea</i> species (lion’s mane jellyfish) from tropical Indo-Pacific waters, which comprises the <i>nozakii</i>-group, remains poorly resolved. In this context, here, we provide the first confirmed records of two <i>Cyanea</i> species from Sri Lanka: <i>Cyanea buitendijki</i> Stiasny 1919; and <i>Cyanea nozakii</i> Kishinouye 1891. We present detailed morphological descriptions and comparative taxonomic analysis, clarifying key diagnostic characters. Although superficially similar in colouration, the two species are distinguished by the architecture of the gastrovascular system: <i>C. nozakii</i> possesses a dense network of anastomoses in peripheral canals, with 2–3 tentacle rows at the widest area of U-shaped tracts, whereas <i>C. buitendijki</i> lacks such dense anastomoses and exhibits ≥ 4 tentacle rows in the same region. Our findings further suggest that the reported morphological distinctions among the Indo-Pacific congeners, <i>C. buitendijki</i>, <i>Cyanea mjöbergi</i>, and <i>Cyanea barkeri</i>, may be insufficient to warrant separate species status; they likely represent a single taxon, necessitating a comprehensive revision. This study not only documents the first occurrence of these species in Sri Lankan waters but also establishes the first record of <i>C. buitendijki</i> in the northern Indian Ocean, significantly extending its known range from the Malayan Archipelago.</p>

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First Record and Taxonomic Clarification of Two Lion’s Mane Jellyfish, Cyanea buitendijki and Cyanea nozakii (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) from Sri Lanka

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月26日

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  • Krishan D. Karunarathne,
  • M.D.S.T. de Croos

摘要

The taxonomy of Cyanea species (lion’s mane jellyfish) from tropical Indo-Pacific waters, which comprises the nozakii-group, remains poorly resolved. In this context, here, we provide the first confirmed records of two Cyanea species from Sri Lanka: Cyanea buitendijki Stiasny 1919; and Cyanea nozakii Kishinouye 1891. We present detailed morphological descriptions and comparative taxonomic analysis, clarifying key diagnostic characters. Although superficially similar in colouration, the two species are distinguished by the architecture of the gastrovascular system: C. nozakii possesses a dense network of anastomoses in peripheral canals, with 2–3 tentacle rows at the widest area of U-shaped tracts, whereas C. buitendijki lacks such dense anastomoses and exhibits ≥ 4 tentacle rows in the same region. Our findings further suggest that the reported morphological distinctions among the Indo-Pacific congeners, C. buitendijki, Cyanea mjöbergi, and Cyanea barkeri, may be insufficient to warrant separate species status; they likely represent a single taxon, necessitating a comprehensive revision. This study not only documents the first occurrence of these species in Sri Lankan waters but also establishes the first record of C. buitendijki in the northern Indian Ocean, significantly extending its known range from the Malayan Archipelago.