Every summer, thousands of bluebottles wash up on Australian beaches, but recent scientific research has uncovered a surprising revelation - there is not just one, but at least four different species of bluebottles in the world.

For years, the bluebottle, also known as the Portuguese man o' war, was thought to be a single species called Physalia physalis. Scientists believed these jellyfish with painful stings were a single global species.

However, a groundbreaking study from Yale University has now proven the existence of four distinct species of bluebottles, each with unique appearances, genetics, and distribution. Australian researchers from Griffith University and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) also played a significant role in this study.

One of the researchers, Professor Kylie Pitt from Griffith University, expressed surprise at the findings, especially considering the high number of Australians who have been stung by bluebottles. She highlighted the lack of knowledge about these creatures despite their common presence along the Australian coast.

The study identified the previously known Physalia physalis, Physalia utriculus, and Physalia megalista species, as well as a new species called Physalia minuta found in the waters near New Zealand and Australia.

Despite the discovery of additional bluebottle species, beachgoers in Australia need not worry about an increase in jellyfish washing up on the shores. The study's lead researcher, Samuel Church from Yale University, assured that beach experiences will remain unchanged.

The research team collected bluebottle samples from various beaches worldwide, including contributions from everyday citizens through iNaturalist.org. This online platform for nature enthusiasts allowed researchers to analyze thousands of photos to aid in species identification.

Professor Pitt emphasized the importance of citizen science in this study, as it provided a wealth of data for researchers to work with. The manual identification process was labor-intensive, but essential for distinguishing between the four bluebottle species.

Furthermore, this study has laid the foundation for future research projects, such as exploring biological and ecological differences between bluebottle species and predicting their beach appearances globally. Researchers are also interested in studying the venom potency of different bluebottle species to understand potential risks associated with their stings.

These findings have opened up a new realm of research possibilities, shedding light on the complex world of bluebottles and paving the way for further scientific investigations.