Death in the octopus' garden: Fatal blue-lined octopus envenomations of adult green sea turtles

Kathy A Townsend; J Altvater; M C Thomas; Q A Schuyler; G W Nette

doi:10.1007/s00227-011-1846-9

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Death in the octopus' garden: Fatal blue-lined octopus envenomations of adult green sea turtles

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Death in the octopus' garden: Fatal blue-lined octopus envenomations of adult green sea turtles

Kathy A Townsend, J Altvater, M C Thomas, Q A Schuyler and G W Nette

Marine Biology, Vol.159(3), pp.689-695

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1846-9

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Abstract

neutral loss

green turtle

sheltered water

tandem mass spectrometry technique

after bite

The blue-lined octopus Hapalochlaena fasciata contains the powerful neuromuscular blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX), which causes muscle weakness and respiratory failure. H. fasciata is regarded as one of the most venomous marine animals in the world, and multiple human fatalities have been attributed to the octopus. To date, there have been no recorded incidents of an envenomation of a wild animal. Here, we present a newly developed, multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry technique that provides unequivocal evidence for two cases of envenomation of two ~110 kg herbivorous green sea turtles by two tiny cryptic blue-lined octopuses (~4 cm body length). These cases of accidental ingestion provide evidence for the first time of the antipredator effect of TTX and highlight a previously unconsidered threat to turtles grazing within seagrass beds. © 2011 The Author(s).

Details

Title: Death in the octopus' garden: Fatal blue-lined octopus envenomations of adult green sea turtles
Authors: Kathy A Townsend (Author) - University of Queensland
J Altvater (Author) - Independent Marine Biochemistry Research
M C Thomas (Author) - Independent Marine Biochemistry Research
Q A Schuyler (Author) - University of Queensland
G W Nette (Author) - Independent Marine Biochemistry Research
Publication details: Marine Biology, Vol.159(3), pp.689-695
Publisher: Springer
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1007/s00227-011-1846-9
ISSN: 0025-3162
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450423602621
Output Type: Journal article

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