Animaux aquatiques dangereux

Abstract

Most of dangerous aquatic animals, vertebrates and invertebrates, are marine species. The venomous species have ability to administer a zootoxin by means of a venom apparatus : sponges, worms, sea urchins, starfish, octopods, and, the most dangerous, medusa, molluscs (Conus family), sea snake (Indopacific region) and hundreds of fishes (stingrays, weever, scorpionfish, stone fish…). The poisonous species are toxic after they are eaten, especially molluscs bivalvia when they have ingested toxic dinoflagellates (unicellular algae) and fish (clupeids, morays, tunas, tetraodons or fugu…). Ciguatera is a poisoning by coral reef animals, especially fish. The bites of some animals is dangerous (sharks, barracudas…). Animals and their biology are presented. The venoms apparatus (spines, stings, teeth) of venomous animals are described. The chemistry and characteristics of venoms are indicated when the are known. The circumstances of the accident, the clinical symptoms and the treatments are described.