Morphological and Molecular taxonomy
For centuries, date back even during ancient Egypt. Biologist has used
morphological characteristics for classifying organism and constructed the tree using
resembling general morphological characters (Mariette Manktelow, lecture note).
Studied by Gershwin in 2005 and 2006, general morphological characters were
described as a key to classify specimens. Phylogenetic tree base on morphological
characters was constructed. According to the tree, box jellyfish can be devided in to
three groups: Carybdeida, Irukandjiidae and Chirodropida (Figure 4). Later, in 2009,
Bentlage et al. constructed phylogenetic tree based on 16S, 18S and 28S ribosomal
genes in order to discuss the evolution of venom, life history and biogeography.