| Malo kingi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Cubozoa |
| Order: | Carybdeida |
| Family: | Tamoyidae |
| Genus: | Malo |
| Species: | M. kingi |
| Binomial name | |
| Malo kingi Gershwin, 2007 |
|
Malo kingi is an Irukandji jellyfish named after victim Robert King, a tourist from the United States who died from its sting. It was first described to science in 2007, and is one of two species in genus Malo.[1] It has some of the world's most potent venom, even though it is no bigger than a human thumbnail.[2] As an Irukandji, it can cause Irukandji syndrome, characterized by severe pain, vomiting, a rapid rise in blood pressure, and death.[2]