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Thesis
VENOM TOXICITY AND BIOENERGETICS OF THE SPINE FROM ATLANTIC STINGRAY, DASYATIS SABINA
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2008
Abstract
Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, possess a venomous spine thought to be useful in defense. Anecdotal evidence as well as observations of stinging incidents in nature illustrate that these fish are reluctant to use the spine when threatened or attacked, and in cases where the spine is used, it is not an effective predator deterrent. Venomous systems have been shown to be metabolically expensive, raising the question of why stingrays invest in a system that is inadequate for defense. This study determines stingray venom toxicity (LC50) and quantifies metabolic costs associated with the venom delivery system. Acute toxicity tests determined a LC50 value of 0.018 mg protein·g fish-1 with the average protein content of 35.71 mg·mL venom-1. Respirometry determined that approximately 0.000162 kcal·g-1·h-1 are devoted to maintenance of venomous tissues and the spine. Caloric density of spines was measured using ballistic bomb calorimetry. The average number of kilo-calories per gram of spine weight was 0.238. Empirical and observational evidence from laboratory and field studies suggest that the spine may serve key roles in reproductive behavior and in establishing social hierarchies as well as defense.
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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Details
- Title
- VENOM TOXICITY AND BIOENERGETICS OF THE SPINE FROM ATLANTIC STINGRAY, DASYATIS SABINA
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090736006600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida