MARINE TOXINS AND VENOMOUS AND POISONOUS MARINE ANIMALS
297
2. octopus
The venom apparatus of the octopus consists of the paired posterior
salivary glands, the two short (salivary) ducts which join them with the
m m n salivary duct, the paired anterior salivary glands and their
ducts, the buccal m s and the mandibles, or beak (Fig. 6). The two paired
salivary glands differ markedly in their size, structure and function
(Arvy, 1960; Gennaro et al., 1962). The common salivary duct opens
into the sub-radular organ anterior to the tongue. The paired ducts
from the anterior salivary glands open into the posterior pharynx. The
buccal mass, or pharynx, is a muscular complex with two powerful
horny jaws like an inverted parrot’s beak. The exact role played by
the two paired salivary glands in the preparation of the venom has not
yet been fully established, although the posterior glands are known to
be by far the more important as venom-producing organs. Further
consideration of these structures in the production of the toxin will be
found in the discourse on the chemisty and toxicology of molluscan
poisons.
D. Chemistry and toxicology
1. Gastropoda
The venom of Conus is white, grey, yellow or black depending on
the species involved; it is viscous and contains proteins and carbohydrates. Its pH varies from 7.8 to 8.1. On microscopic examination,
granules of various sizes and shapes may be seen. In C. striatus some
granules are almost round and measure 2-3 p in diameter, while others
are more oval in shape and measure approximately 7 p in length and
3 p in width. According to Kohn et al. (1960), these granules stain
yellow with iodine, are insoluble in alcohol and resist boiling with
concentrated HC1, but will dissolve in an aqueous solution of 20%
KOH. The active principle is non-dialyzable. Toxicity is reduced but
not lost on heating and incubation with trypsin. In C. textile, according
to McColm and Endean (Endean, personal correspondence, 1964), the
venom is contained in sausage-shaped or ellipsoidal granules varying
in length from 3-7 p and in width from 3-4 p at their widest point.
Indoles can be detected histochemically in the granules, each of which
possesses a sheath of lipoprotein.
The lethal component of Conzcs venom has not been identified.
Among the substances that have been found in extracts of the ducts or
from the ducts are : homarine, gamma-butyrobetaine, N-methylpyridinium, several amines, possible indole amines, S-hydroxytryptamine, lipoproteins and carbohydrates. Kohn and associates (1960)
297
2. octopus
The venom apparatus of the octopus consists of the paired posterior
salivary glands, the two short (salivary) ducts which join them with the
m m n salivary duct, the paired anterior salivary glands and their
ducts, the buccal m s and the mandibles, or beak (Fig. 6). The two paired
salivary glands differ markedly in their size, structure and function
(Arvy, 1960; Gennaro et al., 1962). The common salivary duct opens
into the sub-radular organ anterior to the tongue. The paired ducts
from the anterior salivary glands open into the posterior pharynx. The
buccal mass, or pharynx, is a muscular complex with two powerful
horny jaws like an inverted parrot’s beak. The exact role played by
the two paired salivary glands in the preparation of the venom has not
yet been fully established, although the posterior glands are known to
be by far the more important as venom-producing organs. Further
consideration of these structures in the production of the toxin will be
found in the discourse on the chemisty and toxicology of molluscan
poisons.
D. Chemistry and toxicology
1. Gastropoda
The venom of Conus is white, grey, yellow or black depending on
the species involved; it is viscous and contains proteins and carbohydrates. Its pH varies from 7.8 to 8.1. On microscopic examination,
granules of various sizes and shapes may be seen. In C. striatus some
granules are almost round and measure 2-3 p in diameter, while others
are more oval in shape and measure approximately 7 p in length and
3 p in width. According to Kohn et al. (1960), these granules stain
yellow with iodine, are insoluble in alcohol and resist boiling with
concentrated HC1, but will dissolve in an aqueous solution of 20%
KOH. The active principle is non-dialyzable. Toxicity is reduced but
not lost on heating and incubation with trypsin. In C. textile, according
to McColm and Endean (Endean, personal correspondence, 1964), the
venom is contained in sausage-shaped or ellipsoidal granules varying
in length from 3-7 p and in width from 3-4 p at their widest point.
Indoles can be detected histochemically in the granules, each of which
possesses a sheath of lipoprotein.
The lethal component of Conzcs venom has not been identified.
Among the substances that have been found in extracts of the ducts or
from the ducts are : homarine, gamma-butyrobetaine, N-methylpyridinium, several amines, possible indole amines, S-hydroxytryptamine, lipoproteins and carbohydrates. Kohn and associates (1960)