The blue ringed octopus (Octopus maculosa) is one of
the most striking species in the ocean and quite possibly one of the most venomous organisms on the planet. O.maculosa only grow up to 20cm from
tentacle to tentacle and weigh a mere 100g however these tiny molluscs are
considered one of the most venomous creatures on earth.
Their diets mainly consist of small
crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps which they kill using their venom and
strong beak to open tough shells. There are two ways in which the octopus can deliver venom to its victim. The first is by releasing a cloud of toxin on
to the animal which is then absorbed though the gills, within seconds the
animal becomes paralysed and is then safe to consume. The other tactic is to
grab onto the animal and inject the venom though the beak directly into the
victim.
Octopus maculosa
(http://www.oceanwideimages.com/categories.asp?cID=66)
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The venom produced by this octopus
is known as a Maculotoxin (MXT). It is a cocktail of neurotoxins which
effects the brain blocking signals to voluntary muscle systems causing the diaphragm
to shut down and breathing to cease. Complete paralysis can occur within minutes
with death soon to follow if untreated. The impressive aspect of this venom is
that it is extremely stable at a molecular level, retaining its toxicity at 50oC
in a hydrochloric acid solution. A single octopus weighing 25g contains enough
toxin to paralyse ten humans weighing 75kg each. Even with this toxicity, O.maculosa are completely immune to
their own venom.
This is a very powerful
punch for such a small creature. Its sinister beauty exposes it to every animal
in the ecosystem which is unlike other octopus species which have evolved
incredible mimicry techniques to evade predators. If threatened O.maculosa with flash its blue rings not
only does the venom serve as a powerful as effective prey capture technique but
also a strong deterrent to attackers.
Octopus maculosa
(http://www.oceanwideimages.com/categories.asp?cID=66)
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References:
M, S, Bonnet 1999, "The toxicology of Octopus maculosa: the blue ringed octopus", British Homeopathic Journal, vol.88, pp.166-171.
These are cool little beasties, although I wouldn’t want to meet one in a dark ocean (or a light ocean for that matter)! I would imagine that humans are only able to be invenomated (is that the right word?) through a bite? If one were to handle the octopus, I assume the venom does not get absorbed across the skin surface. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteHahah this is so cool, such an awesome topic and post. I've made a post about blue ringed octopi too, i think you'd enjoy the video accompanied with it, theres some really great acting of someone suffering the symptoms post attack.
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