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The major neurotoxin component of the blue-ringed octopus is a compound originally known as 'maculotoxin'; in 1978, this maculotoxin was found to be tetrodotoxin, [17] a neurotoxin also found in pufferfish, rough-skinned newts, and some poison dart frogs; the blue-ringed octopus is the first reported instance in which tetrodotoxin is used as a ...
An octopus (pl.: octopuses or octopodes [a]) is a soft-bodied, ... All species are venomous, but only blue-ringed octopuses have venom that is lethal to humans. [155]
The greater blue-ringed octopus, despite its vernacular name, is a small octopus whose size does not exceed 10 centimetres (3.9 in), arms included, with an average weight of 80 grams (2.8 oz). Its common name comes from the relatively large size of its blue rings (7 to 8 millimetres [0.28 to 0.31 in] in diameter), which are larger than those of ...
Many venomous animals, such as this greater blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata), are brightly colored or can display bright colors to warn potential predators. Numerous animal species naturally produce chemical toxins which are used to kill or incapacitate prey or as a defense against predators.
What makes this octopus famous is its venom. Saliva glands of the southern blue-ringed octopus produce the deadly neurotoxin, maculotoxin. [10] The neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX), is secreted in the posterior salivary gland, which is located in the intestinal blood system of the octopus. This may provide the toxin into its bloodstream.
All octopuses have venom, but few are fatally dangerous. The greater blue-ringed octopus, however, is considered to be one of the most venomous animals known; the venom of one is enough to kill ten adult humans. [3] It uses the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, which quickly causes respiratory arrest. Estimates of the number of recorded fatalities ...
Recently, scientists have witnessed a species of octopus, the gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus), engaging in even more extraordinary acts than previously Find Out Why These Octopuses Throw Things ...
The octopus' natural color is light brown/beige, but it usually takes on a more noticeable hue of striped white and brown to scare off predators by imitating poisonous species. According to DNA sequence analysis, the second evolved trait was the simultaneous development of its lengthy arms and its flatfish-like swimming ability.