MARINE TOXINS AND VENOMOUS AND POISONOUS MARINE ANIMALS
327
4. Clupeoid
This form of poisoning sometimes occurs following ingestion of
certain herring-like fishes of the tropical Pacific. According to Halstead
(1966) seventeen species of Clupeidae have been found to be toxic at
one time or another. Among these implicated have been Arengua
neopilchurdus (Steindachner), Clupanodon thrissa (L.), Dzcssumieria
aeuta Valenciennes, Sardinella Jimbriata (Valenciennes) and S .
sindensis (Day).
Like ciguatera poisoning this form occurs sporadically and over an
extensive area. While the symptoms and signs provoked by the toxin
are slightly different from those in ciguatera poisoning, it has not yet
been definitely established that the toxin is indeed different from that
responsible for ciguatera poisoning. Chemical and toxicological data
on clupeoid poison are lacking.
6 . Cyclostome
The slime and flesh of certain lampreys and hagfishes appears to
contain a toxin which may produce gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (CoutiBre, 1899 ; Engelsen, 1922). The chemical and toxicological
nature of the toxin is unknown.
6. Elasmobranch
Consumption of the musculature of the Greenland shark Somniosus
microcephalus (Bloch and Schneider) has caused poisonings in both
human and dogs (Jensen, 1914, 1948). The livers of several species of
tropical sharks have caused severe poisonings and even deaths (Coutihe,
1899 ; Phisalix, 1922 ; Halstead, 1959). Species reported to be poisonous
a t times include : Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy and Gaimard),
Heptranchias perlo Bonnaterre, Hexanchus grisseus (Bonnaterre),
Careharodon carcharias (L.) and Sphyrm zygaena L.
Poisoning from the eating of toxic shark liver is characterized by
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache and parasthesia
about the mouth. These manifestations are sometimes evident within
30 min following ingestion of the organ. Malaise, weakness, muscle
cramps and respiratory distress may develop. The pulse is usually
weak and rapid ; reflexes are hypoactive and the victim complains of
visual disturbances and a sensation of " heaviness ". Ataxia, severe
respiratory distress and coma usually precede death. In most cases
complete recovery requires 5-20 days. The case fatality rate is not
known. It has been suggested that hypervitaminosis A might be
responsible for the poisoning. It has also been suggested that elasmobranch poisoning should be classified as a form of ciguatera poisoning.
327
4. Clupeoid
This form of poisoning sometimes occurs following ingestion of
certain herring-like fishes of the tropical Pacific. According to Halstead
(1966) seventeen species of Clupeidae have been found to be toxic at
one time or another. Among these implicated have been Arengua
neopilchurdus (Steindachner), Clupanodon thrissa (L.), Dzcssumieria
aeuta Valenciennes, Sardinella Jimbriata (Valenciennes) and S .
sindensis (Day).
Like ciguatera poisoning this form occurs sporadically and over an
extensive area. While the symptoms and signs provoked by the toxin
are slightly different from those in ciguatera poisoning, it has not yet
been definitely established that the toxin is indeed different from that
responsible for ciguatera poisoning. Chemical and toxicological data
on clupeoid poison are lacking.
6 . Cyclostome
The slime and flesh of certain lampreys and hagfishes appears to
contain a toxin which may produce gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (CoutiBre, 1899 ; Engelsen, 1922). The chemical and toxicological
nature of the toxin is unknown.
6. Elasmobranch
Consumption of the musculature of the Greenland shark Somniosus
microcephalus (Bloch and Schneider) has caused poisonings in both
human and dogs (Jensen, 1914, 1948). The livers of several species of
tropical sharks have caused severe poisonings and even deaths (Coutihe,
1899 ; Phisalix, 1922 ; Halstead, 1959). Species reported to be poisonous
a t times include : Carcharhinus melanopterus (Quoy and Gaimard),
Heptranchias perlo Bonnaterre, Hexanchus grisseus (Bonnaterre),
Careharodon carcharias (L.) and Sphyrm zygaena L.
Poisoning from the eating of toxic shark liver is characterized by
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache and parasthesia
about the mouth. These manifestations are sometimes evident within
30 min following ingestion of the organ. Malaise, weakness, muscle
cramps and respiratory distress may develop. The pulse is usually
weak and rapid ; reflexes are hypoactive and the victim complains of
visual disturbances and a sensation of " heaviness ". Ataxia, severe
respiratory distress and coma usually precede death. In most cases
complete recovery requires 5-20 days. The case fatality rate is not
known. It has been suggested that hypervitaminosis A might be
responsible for the poisoning. It has also been suggested that elasmobranch poisoning should be classified as a form of ciguatera poisoning.