256
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
I. INTRODUCTION
This review treats of the toxins of some of the more venomous and
poisonous marine animals of the world. For the most part, it is concerned with the chemical, zootoxicological and immunological properties of the toxins, the animal’s venom apparatus, and the mechanism
of envenomation. Some attention has been given to the general biology
of the animals, and to the problem of the poisoning in man by the
various forms. A second purpose of the review is to present an account
of several of the more interesting problems in the emerging field of
marine toxinology.
Approximately 1000 species of marine organisms are known to be
venomous or poisonous. For the most part, these species are widely
distributed throughout the marine fauna from the unicellular protistan,
Gonyauh, to certain of the chordates. They are found in almost all
of the seas and oceans of the world, and while their numbers may
sometimes be quite large, they do not produce major ecological effects
by virtue of their toxicity alone, nor are they other than a local danger
to man’s health and economy. It is generally believed that most of the
venomous marine animals have been identified; although it must be
conceded that a number of forms have not yet been adequakly described, and certainly our knowledge of the potentially dangerous deepsea organisms is meager indeed.
A. Definitions
It might be wise to consider a few words and terms that are peculiar
to toxinology. The term venomus animals is usually applied to those
creatures which are capable of producing a poison in a highly developed
secretory organ or group of cells, and which can deliver this toxin
during a biting or stinging act. Poisonous animals are generally
regarded to be those whose tissues, either in part or in their entirety,
are toxic. In reality, all venomous animals are poisonous but not all
poisonous animals are venomous. Animals in which a definite venom
apparatus is present are sometimes called phnerotoxic (Gk. plivqxk,
evident + T O ~ L K ~ Y ,
poison), while animals whose body tissues are toxic
me called cryptotoxic (Gk. ~ p v m d
S , hidden). The rattlesnake, stingray
and black widow spider are venomous or phanerotoxic animals, while
the blister beetles, certain puffer fishes and toads are said to be poisonous
or cryptotoxic.
Although the terms venomozcs and poisonous are often used synonymously, most investigators have tried to conhe the use of the term
venomous animals to those creatures having a gland or group ‘of highly
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
I. INTRODUCTION
This review treats of the toxins of some of the more venomous and
poisonous marine animals of the world. For the most part, it is concerned with the chemical, zootoxicological and immunological properties of the toxins, the animal’s venom apparatus, and the mechanism
of envenomation. Some attention has been given to the general biology
of the animals, and to the problem of the poisoning in man by the
various forms. A second purpose of the review is to present an account
of several of the more interesting problems in the emerging field of
marine toxinology.
Approximately 1000 species of marine organisms are known to be
venomous or poisonous. For the most part, these species are widely
distributed throughout the marine fauna from the unicellular protistan,
Gonyauh, to certain of the chordates. They are found in almost all
of the seas and oceans of the world, and while their numbers may
sometimes be quite large, they do not produce major ecological effects
by virtue of their toxicity alone, nor are they other than a local danger
to man’s health and economy. It is generally believed that most of the
venomous marine animals have been identified; although it must be
conceded that a number of forms have not yet been adequakly described, and certainly our knowledge of the potentially dangerous deepsea organisms is meager indeed.
A. Definitions
It might be wise to consider a few words and terms that are peculiar
to toxinology. The term venomus animals is usually applied to those
creatures which are capable of producing a poison in a highly developed
secretory organ or group of cells, and which can deliver this toxin
during a biting or stinging act. Poisonous animals are generally
regarded to be those whose tissues, either in part or in their entirety,
are toxic. In reality, all venomous animals are poisonous but not all
poisonous animals are venomous. Animals in which a definite venom
apparatus is present are sometimes called phnerotoxic (Gk. plivqxk,
evident + T O ~ L K ~ Y ,
poison), while animals whose body tissues are toxic
me called cryptotoxic (Gk. ~ p v m d
S , hidden). The rattlesnake, stingray
and black widow spider are venomous or phanerotoxic animals, while
the blister beetles, certain puffer fishes and toads are said to be poisonous
or cryptotoxic.
Although the terms venomozcs and poisonous are often used synonymously, most investigators have tried to conhe the use of the term
venomous animals to those creatures having a gland or group ‘of highly