Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri) venom: Lethal, haemolytic and dermonecrotic properties

Baxter, E.H.; Marr, Allen G.

doi:10.1016/0041-0101(69)90006-3

Cited by 85 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Again, it is likely their unique foraging strategy enables them to forage in specific prey habitats and to target prey with high energy content (relative to the prey of other medusan taxa) such as small fish and shrimp [16], [17], [18]. The high potency of the cubomedusan nematocysts [47], [48] also contributes to enabling them to capture large prey with high energy content. They also appear to compensate for their high propulsive costs by sleeping at night while not foraging in order to conserve energy [49].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Propulsion in Cubomedusae: Mechanisms and Utility

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Evolutionary constraints which limit the forces produced during bell contractions of medusae affect the overall medusan morphospace such that jet propulsion is limited to only small medusae. Cubomedusae, which often possess large prolate bells and are thought to swim via jet propulsion, appear to violate the theoretical constraints which determine the medusan morphospace. To examine propulsion by cubomedusae, we quantified size related changes in wake dynamics, bell shape, swimming and turning kinematics of two species of cubomedusae, Chironex fleckeri and Chiropsella bronzie. During growth, these cubomedusae transitioned from using jet propulsion at smaller sizes to a rowing-jetting hybrid mode of propulsion at larger sizes. Simple modifications in the flexibility and kinematics of their velarium appeared to be sufficient to alter their propulsive mode. Turning occurs during both bell contraction and expansion and is achieved by generating asymmetric vortex structures during both stages of the swimming cycle. Swimming characteristics were considered in conjunction with the unique foraging strategy used by cubomedusae.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Propulsion in Cubomedusae: Mechanisms and Utility

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…There is abundant evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies which suggest that cndarian venoms from all classes in the phylum are heat labile (Table 4) [31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45]. Some have suggested that the mechanism by which heat provides pain relief is unrelated to inactivation of venom components.…”

Section: Mechanism Of Action Of Heat/hot-water Immersionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heated Debates: Hot-Water Immersion or Ice Packs as First Aid for Cnidarian Envenomations?

Wilcox

Yanagihara

2016

Toxins

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cnidarian envenomations are an important public health problem, responsible for more deaths than shark attacks annually. For this reason, optimization of first-aid care is essential. According to the published literature, cnidarian venoms and toxins are heat labile at temperatures safe for human application, which supports the use of hot-water immersion of the sting area(s). However, ice packs are often recommended and used by emergency personnel. After conducting a systematic review of the evidence for the use of heat or ice in the treatment of cnidarian envenomations, we conclude that the majority of studies to date support the use of hot-water immersion for pain relief and improved health outcomes.

show abstract

“…Based on morphology and function, cnidae are further recognized as penetrant, glutinant and volvent types (Williamson et al 1996). The primary function of the penetrant type of nematocyst is the rapid delivery of complex mixtures of bioactive compounds, i.e., venom, which can variously cause cytotoxic, neurotoxic, hemolytic, cardiotoxic, dermatonecrotic, immunogenic and inflammatory effects (Baxter and Marr 1969;Endean et al 1969;Freeman and Turner 1969;Crone and Keen 1970;Auerbach and Taylor Hays 1987;Endean 1987;Halstead 1988;Hessinger 1988;Burnett 1992;Bloom et al 1998;Chung et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure of a novel eurytele nematocyst of Carybdea alata Reynaud (Cubozoa, Cnidaria)

et al. 2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ultrastructural characteristics of nematocysts from the cubozoan Carybdea alata Reynaud, 1830 (Hawaiian box jellyfish) were examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We reclassified the predominant nematocyst in C. alata tentacles as a heterotrichous microbasic eurytele, based on spine, tubule and capsule measurements. These nematocysts exhibited a prominent and singular stylet, herein referred to as the lancet. Discharged nematocysts from fixed tentacle preparations displayed the following structures: a smooth shaft base, lamellae, a hemicircumferential fissure demarking the proximal end of a stratified lancet, and a gradually tapering tubule densely covered with large triangularly shaped spines. The lancet remained partially adjoined to the shaft base in a hinge-like fashion in rapidly fixed, whole-tentacle preparations. In contrast, this structure was not observed in discharged nematocyst preparations which involved multiple transfer steps prior to fixation. Various approaches were designed to detect this structure in the absence of fixative. Detached lancets were located in proximity to discharged tubules in undisturbed coverslip preparations of fresh tentacles. In addition, examination of embedded nematocysts from fresh tentacles laid on polyacrylamide gels revealed still-attached lancets. To examine the function of this structure in prey capture, Artemia sp. laden tentacles were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. While carapace exteriors exhibited structures proximal to the lancet, i.e., the nematocyst capsule and shaft base, neither tubule nor lancet structures were visible. Taken together, the morphological data suggested a series of events involved in the discharge of a novel eurytele from C. alata.

show abstract

Sea wasp (Chironex fleckeri) venom: Lethal, haemolytic and dermonecrotic properties

Cited by 85 publications

References 13 publications

Propulsion in Cubomedusae: Mechanisms and Utility

Propulsion in Cubomedusae: Mechanisms and Utility

Heated Debates: Hot-Water Immersion or Ice Packs as First Aid for Cnidarian Envenomations?

Ultrastructure of a novel eurytele nematocyst of Carybdea alata Reynaud (Cubozoa, Cnidaria)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About