Skip to main content

The biological and medical significance
of poisonous animals

Research Authors
Hossam El-Din M Omar
Research Abstract

Animal kingdom possesses numerous poisonous species that produce venoms (actively delivered) or
toxins (passively delivered). Poisonous animals are found in most classes of the Animal Kingdom and in
most habitats, both terrestrial and marine. Poisonous animals have a significant health problem for
populations in the world and are neglected environmental diseases of the rural tropics. Poisonous
animals include a variety of animal species; sea snakes, stinging fish, jellyfish, corals, cone shells, blueringed
octopuses, sea urchins, snakes (elapids, vipers, and rattlesnakes), scorpion, spiders, bee, wasp
and ant. Poisonous animal are rich sources of toxins that often target-with high potency and variable
specificity. Animal toxins have made a significant contribution to enhancing knowledge in human
physiology and pharmacology. Information on the nature and mechanism of action of these toxins has
enabled a more scientific approach to the treatment of their intoxications. This paper reviews the
knowledge about the various aspects related to the name, habitat, biological and medical importance of
poisonous animals of different major animal phyla. In addition, this review will discuss the mechanism of
venoms or toxins toxicity and therapeutic uses of particular fractions of venoms or toxins from different
sources

Research Department
Research Journal
Journal of Biology and Earth Science
Research Member
Research Publisher
TMKARPIŃSKI PUBLISHER
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
3 (1)
Research Website
http://www.journals.tmkarpinski.com/index.php/jbes/article/viewFile/54/49
Research Year
2013
Research Pages
M25-M41