MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: Why is the sea wasp/boxed jelly the most venomous animal?

Date: Mon Dec 23 05:43:56 2002
Posted By: david bell, Faculty, life & Envrionmental sciences, nottingham uni
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 1040483258.Zo
Message:

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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