Octopus venom

[Oktoputeao]

I'm sure that Blue ring octopus has venom ( tetrodotoxin), but have any other ceph, venom?
Cheers
Carles

 

[Feelers]

The bluering is special in that it has a different venom to most octos - in that it can kill you. Most(if not all other?) octos have a toxin know as cephalotoxin (spelling?), that knocks out prey when they "spit" it at them.
Cephalotoxin sounds rather generic to me, and it wouldn't surprise me if there are a few variations in the chemical/s used between species.

One reason I think this is because O. Rubescens seems to have a very strong bite, even when compared to much larger octopuses.

 

[OB]

You may wish to check out Boyle's paper at

http://www.cephbase.utmb.edu/refdb/pdf/7298.pdf

It's relatively recent and gives a nice series of refs

 

[cthulhu77]

Good stuff there ! To answer you quickly, yes, all octos have venom of some sort, differing in toxicity not only by species, but also by location. The dwarf varieties seem to have a tendency to have more potent venoms than the larger types, but most are not able to inflict a fatal bite on a human being.

 

[Arrogantsob81]

so i take it i should not try to pet my bluering??.. useful 411 thanks guys =)

 

[cthulhu77]

Nope. Go right ahead.

 

[DHyslop]

!

No more Mr. Nice Greg!

 

[Jean]

Good stuff there ! To answer you quickly, yes, all octos have venom of some sort, differing in toxicity not only by species, but also by location. The dwarf varieties seem to have a tendency to have more potent venoms than the larger types, but most are not able to inflict a fatal bite on a human being.

BUT it is possible to be allergic to the bite..........anyone with a seafood allergy should be extra careful!

J

 

[monty]

if you search forums on "blue ring" you'll get a lot more info, too, by the way... the toxin details have been discussed on a number of threads.

 

[Oktoputeao]

Thanks guys, about tetrodotoxin I know enought, I'm medicine student.
But thanks for the link and for answer the first question I have did.
Cheers
Carles