Sea snake envenomation is a serious occupational hazard in tropical waters. In Malaysia, the beaked sea snake (Hydrophis schistosus, formerly known as Enhydrina schistosa) and the spine-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis curtus, formerly known as Lapemis curtus or Lapemis hardwickii) are two commonly encountered species. Australian CSL sea snake antivenom is the definitive treatment for sea snake envenomation; it is unfortunately extremely costly locally and is not widely available or adequately stocked in local hospitals. This study investigated the cross-neutralizing potential of three regionally produced anti-cobra antivenoms against the venoms of Malaysian H. schistosus and H. curtus. All three antivenoms conferred paraspecific protection from sea snake venom lethality in mice, with potency increasing in the following order: Taiwan bivalent antivenom < Thai monocled cobra monovalent antivenom < Thai neuro polyvalent antivenom (NPAV). NPAV demonstrated cross-neutralizing potencies of 0.4 mg/vial for H. schistosus venom and 0.8 mg/vial for H. curtus, which translates to a dose of less than 20 vials of NPAV to neutralize an average amount of sea snake venom per bite (inferred from venom milking). The cross-neutralization activity was supported by ELISA cross-reactivity between NPAV and the venoms of H. schistosus (58.4%) and H. curtus (70.4%). These findings revealed the potential of NPAV as a second-line treatment for sea snake envenomation in the region. Further profiling of the cross-neutralization activity should address the antivenomic basis using purified toxin-based assays.
This study reports the first occurrence of partial albinism in a tropical anguillid eelAnguilla bengalensis bengalensisfrom Malaysia. This paper also describes the first record of albinism in the genusAnguilla. The occurrence of albinism in our specimen ofAnguillamight have been caused by three factors: (1) contamination effects; (2) random genetic alterations; or (3) genetic alteration due to small population size. The present results suggest that the albinism inA. bengalensis bengalensisis probably caused by random genetic alteration. Partial albinism may not be a handicap in the life of the present specimen because the eel could still potentially grow to more than 1 m in total length, just like a normal adult eel.
Abstract. Although tropical anguillid eels account for two-thirds of all species in the genus Anguilla, the information on the species diversity, geographic distribution, and life histories of the tropical eels is very limited. Recent studies suggested that accurate species identification in the tropical anguillid eels needs a validation by molecular genetic analysis after morphological observation. Two anguillid eels found in Sabah, Borneo Island, were firstly identified as Anguilla marmorata Quoy et Gaimard, 1824 using morphological analysis and further analysis of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) sequences confirmed the morphological species identification. The presently reported study represents the first description of A. marmorata in Sabah, Borneo Island. One-year survey suggests that representatives of A. marmorata found in the region might belong to the North Pacific population in the westernmost distribution.
Recent studies suggested that accurate species identification in the tropical anguillid eels based on morphological examination requires confirmation by molecular genetic analysis. Previous studies found that two tropical anguillid eels, Anguilla
bicolor
bicolor and A.
bengalensis
bengalensis, were found in peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) based on morphological and molecular genetic analyses. This study is the first record of A.
marmorata in peninsular Malaysia confirmed by both morphological and molecular genetic analyses. The present study also suggests that accurate tropical eel species identification is difficult by morphological identification alone; therefore, molecular genetic analysis is needed for precise species confirmation.
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