Identification of venome-filled organelles in Aurelia aurita

Aurelia aurita is a scyphozoan known for its variable stinging potency and contains nematocysts, the explosive stinging organelles that are characteristics of all cnidarians. Nonetheless, evolutionary forces brought about staggering diversity of toxins and its delivery system. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to identify and characterise venom-filled organelles to make feasible evolutionary studies within the phylum Cnidaria. Nematocysts of A. aurita were examined by light microscopy. Five types of nematocysts were identified and suggested to function as penetrants, entanglers or adherents during prey capture and defence in basis of its morphological characteristics and dynamic distribution throughout the organism