The average person lumps all things that sting together. Bees sting, so do sea jellies (jellyfish), some fish have a sting, as well as some urchins, corals, and fireworms. None of them are particularly related.
Lets take a brief look at the way some marine life "sting."
1. Sea Jellies (jellyfish) including box jellies and man-o-wars.
Venom filled cells fire out a spiked delivery tube at gunshot-like speeds.
2. Fire worms
Bristles coated with irritants come off upon contact.
3. Fish
Grooved spines with venom hurt upon contact.
4. Corals
Venom filled cells fire out a spiked delivery tube at gunshot-like speeds.
5. Urchins
Spines (sometimes serrated) coated with irritants or venom hurt and even break off upon contact.
6. Sea Anemones
Venom filled cells fire out a spiked delivery tube at gunshot-like speeds.
Which are related? Those that have the same way of stinging are certainly candidates.
So, jellies, corals and sea anemones are indeed all related. They have a stinging system (nematocysts) that are highly effective.
The bullet-like discharge speed of these tiny and light venom tubes creates enough force on impact to allow them to penetrate thick skins or armor (think fish lips and crab skeletons).
Check out Dr. Angel Yanigihara's cool video of box jelly nematocysts firing!
See: http://www5.pbrc.hawaii.edu/pcrl/nematocyst_discharge.html
Aloha,
Mark
Image courtesy: NOAA
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