The Portuguese caravel is a group of colonial organisms that lives in the waters of tropical regions and is also found in subtropical regions such as the Gulf of Mexico.
It has tentacles with stinging cells that, in contact with the skin, releases toxins that can cause lesions (burns) associated with pain that can last up to 2 hours. In more severe cases, the sting can lead to death.
Its main toxin is Physaliatoxin (240 kDa glycoprotein) with cytotoxicity and haemolytic toxicity.
