DANGEROUS MARINE ANIMALS Biology, Injuries & Medical Treatment
Dangerous Marine Animals Biology Injuries Medical Treatment Authors Reinhard Kikinger, PhD Jens Lindner, MD Verena Wiesbauer, MSc
Published by: Atoll Images
4 - Dangerous Marine Animals
Authors Reinhard Kikinger, PhD. Bio Station Kuramathi, Rasdhoo Atoll, Republic of Maldives Jens Lindner, MD. Medical Centre Kuramathi, Rasdhoo Atoll, Republic of Maldives Verena Wiesbauer, MSc. Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Male’, Noth Male’ Atoll, Rep. of Maldives Publisher & Design Atoll Images, Ma. Shah, Dhidhi Goalhi, Male’, North Male’ Atoll, Rep. of Maldives email: info@atoll-images.com Internet: www.atoll-images.com Atoll Images is a full subsidiary of Water Solutions Pvt Ltd. Atoll Images was created with the objective of informing, educating and creating awareness through visual media. Printer: Novelty Printers and Publishers, Maldives Copyright: Atoll Images Copyright of images Dr. Reinhard Kikinger: all photos except: Dr. Jens Lindner: Photos 17-19, 43, 67 Dr. Adam Britton: Photo 70 First published in 2009. ISBN: 99915-2-668-4 Reg. No: 178-NBC/BK/2009/124 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. Cover photo: Portuguese Man-of-War, Physalia sp. (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Siphonophora) Photo previous page: Giant Moray (Gymnothorax javanicus, top) and Honeycomb Moray (G. favagineus, bottom)
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PHOTO
Photo: Hard coral, Acropora sp. (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Acroporidae).
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Table of Contents
Preface
8
Introduction
9
Taxonomic Descriptions 1. Viruses, bacteria & toxic algae 2. Sponges (Porifera) 3. Hydroids, jellyfish, corals, sea anemones (Cnidaria) Hydrozoa Cubozoa Scyphozoa Anthozoa 4. Bristle worms (Annelida: Polychaeta) 5. Crustaceans (Crustacea) 6. Snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) 7. Bivalves (Mollusca: Bivalvia) 8. Octopuses (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) 9. Sea urchins (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) 10. Sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) 11. Starfish (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) 12. Sharks (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) 13. Rays (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii) 14. Bony fish (Osteichthyes) Scorpion- and Lionfish (Scorpaenidae) Squirrel fish (Holocentridae) Catfish (Plotosidae) Weeverfish (Trachinidae) Rabbitfish (Siganidae) Moray eels (Muraenidae) Barracudas (Sphyraenidae) Triggerfish (Balistidae)
11 11 11 12 13 16 17 19 24 25 26 28 29 30 32 33 34 38 41 41 46 46 46 47 48 51 52
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Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) Porcupinefish (Diodontidae) Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) Needlefish (Belonidae) 15. Sea snakes (Reptilia: Hydrophiidae) 16. Crocodiles (Reptilia: Crocodylidae)
Dangerous Seafood 1. Shellfish poisoning 2. Ciguatera poisoning 3. Scombroid poisoning 4. Puffer poisoning 5. Turtle meat poisoning
53 53 53 55 56 57
58 58 58 60 60 62
References
66
Index
67
GLOSSARY
76
Dhivehi Dictionary
80
About the Authors
82
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Preface
Every year millions of tourists spend their vacations by the sea. The wide variety of recreational activities includes swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, surfing, sailing and much more. Frequently the sea is consumed only as necessary infrastructure for sport activities without realizing its key function: to be the habitat of a huge diversity of marine organisms. Their size classes span orders of magnitude, their trophic levels reach from primary producers to top predators, and their potential to harm humans is from zero to lethal. This booklet describes those potentially dangerous marine organisms which can be encountered with some probability in coastal waters. Animals whose consumption can result in food poisoning are included as well. The medical aspects from diagnoses to treatment are discussed for all kinds of mechanical and venomous injuries.
Above: Fireworm Hermodice carunculata, a bristleworm
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Introduction
Dangerous marine animals are only a part of potential risks at the seaside. Unwary sun-lovers frequently suffer from sunburn, heat-stroke, heat cramps and dehydration. Swimmers, snorkelers and divers may face hypothermia and external otitis, and they also have to watch waves, tides and currents. Especially in the tropical environment, land based coastal hazards include mosquito bites, sand flies (which are minute midges), sand fleas, parasitic larvae and skin infection. In the water, the contact with stinging, biting, and venomous animals can be dangerous. The best protection against these potential risks is prevention, which can be achieved by adequate information. Today, a number of field guide books are available, which include descriptions of dangerous marine animals [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. For more detailed information, special literature is offered [6, 7, 8, 9]. More recently the microbial influence is increasingly included in health aspects of the marine environment as well [10, 11].
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behavioural rules for snorkelers and divers
1
Stay away from the seabed and do not touch anything, because some venomous fish have superb camouflage
2 3 4
Do not catch, touch, or provoke animals
5
Do not feed and do not chase the animals
6 7
Behave as a guest underwater, not as a plunderer and conqueror
8
Do not reach into cracks or crevices Recognize and respect territorial behaviour
Swimmers, divers and surfers should be careful in turbid waters, especially where seals and big shark species occur together Skin contact with stinging plankton can be avoided by using a diving mask and a diving suit