On the venom of the lesser weeverfish,Trachinus vipera

Abstract

SUMMARYA method is described for obtaining the venom from the dorsal fin of the lesser weever without harming the fish. It is suggested that the amount of venom normally injected into the wound by the weever when it stings is O-5-O-2 mg dry weight of venom. Some 60% of the dry weight of the venom appears to consist of toxic muco-substances, which have a neurotoxic effect, but are without toxic effect on the blood. In extracts this fraction may be separated into two albumins and an amino polysaccharide, though in the native venom these are probably associated into a single complex mucosubstance. When injected subcutaneously this fraction of the venom produces no local pain. The venom also contains about 1-20 jug/mg (dry-weight basis) of 5-hydroxytryptamine which appears to be the origin of the pain of the sting, together with some undetermined histamine releaser (not an indole) of low molecular weight. It is suggested that the chief role of the 5-hydroxytryptamine in the venom is to produce pain around the area of the inflicted wound.