MadSci Network: Zoology |
Hi Ian I cannot answer that question. I can point you to various web pages, e.g. http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/paedm/clintox/cslavh_antivenom_boxjelly.html http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/project-net/dma/pages/seawasp-01.html http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~amjones/seawasp.htm some of the toxins have been isolated from venom: Nagai H., Takuwa K., Nakao M., Ito E., Miyake M., Noda M., Nakajima T. Novel proteinaceous toxins from the box jellyfish (Sea Wasp) Carybdea rastoni. Biomedical & Biophysical Research Communications; 275; 582-588; 2000 These toxins are relatively potent, with an LD50 of ~20 microgrammes/kg body weight. In perspective, it would take ~1.4 milligrammes to kill an adult human; this is approximately the weight of a grain of salt. cheers david
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