palyzoas
- Thread starter reefman
- Start date
sfsuphysics
Supporting Member
Yup.
When I went to Maui one of the interesting points mentioned on the tours is that the old Hawaiians (before the islands were unified under King Kamehameha) they would run their spears through lagoons filled with palythoas (they called them something different which escapes my mind) so their spears that would better kill an enemy if it got wounded and tried to get away.
When I went to Maui one of the interesting points mentioned on the tours is that the old Hawaiians (before the islands were unified under King Kamehameha) they would run their spears through lagoons filled with palythoas (they called them something different which escapes my mind) so their spears that would better kill an enemy if it got wounded and tried to get away.
Mr. Ugly
Past President
Not your imagination.
And from the article:
---
Due to the possibility of palytoxin exposure, one should always wash
one’s hands with hot soapy water after handling these animals. Be
sure to avoid contact to eyes, cuts, mouth and/or abrasions when
handling zoanthids.
Palytoxin, the neurotoxin first isolated from Palythoa toxica, is said to
be the most toxic organic substance known. A complex molecule with
a chemical formula of C129H223N3O54, palytoxin has been estimated to
be lethal to humans in dosages of as small as 4 micrograms. Note that
a single crystal of table salt weighs approximately 65 micrograms!
Palytoxin disrupts the ability of cell membranes to control ion fl ow.
The heart muscle is particularly sensitive and poisoning results in
constriction of the blood vessels of the heart and lungs. Additionally,
the toxin causes rupture of red blood cells. Symptoms of palytoxin
exposure include chest pains, breathing difficulties, racing pulse,
and unstable blood pressure. Death can occur within minutes after
poisoning. One recommended antidote is papverine injected directly
into the heart.
As potentially deadly as it may be, palytoxin may one day play an
important role in saving human lives. Scientists frequently have turned
to nature in searching for complex biological compounds that might
prove useful to mankind.
Zoanthid palytoxin has been found to have anti-tumor and anti-
cancer effects. University of Hawaii cancer researchers recently have
been experimenting with attaching palytoxin molecules to antibodies
designed specifically to attack cancer cells.
And from the article:
---
Due to the possibility of palytoxin exposure, one should always wash
one’s hands with hot soapy water after handling these animals. Be
sure to avoid contact to eyes, cuts, mouth and/or abrasions when
handling zoanthids.
Palytoxin, the neurotoxin first isolated from Palythoa toxica, is said to
be the most toxic organic substance known. A complex molecule with
a chemical formula of C129H223N3O54, palytoxin has been estimated to
be lethal to humans in dosages of as small as 4 micrograms. Note that
a single crystal of table salt weighs approximately 65 micrograms!
Palytoxin disrupts the ability of cell membranes to control ion fl ow.
The heart muscle is particularly sensitive and poisoning results in
constriction of the blood vessels of the heart and lungs. Additionally,
the toxin causes rupture of red blood cells. Symptoms of palytoxin
exposure include chest pains, breathing difficulties, racing pulse,
and unstable blood pressure. Death can occur within minutes after
poisoning. One recommended antidote is papverine injected directly
into the heart.
As potentially deadly as it may be, palytoxin may one day play an
important role in saving human lives. Scientists frequently have turned
to nature in searching for complex biological compounds that might
prove useful to mankind.
Zoanthid palytoxin has been found to have anti-tumor and anti-
cancer effects. University of Hawaii cancer researchers recently have
been experimenting with attaching palytoxin molecules to antibodies
designed specifically to attack cancer cells.
sfsuphysics
Supporting Member
Norman must grind his table salt a little more finer than mine 
Raddogz
Guest
One story I recall hearing from Borneman was Calfo was fragging up zoas and was wearing protective handwear i.e. gloves. UPS or Fedex rang the door, so he used mouth to pull off the wet gloved hand.
He had a metallic taste in his mouth for over a year.
Zoas and paly toxins can also leach into the rock itself, so if the pup was gnawing on the rock I can possibly see the pup getting that sick.
He had a metallic taste in his mouth for over a year.
Zoas and paly toxins can also leach into the rock itself, so if the pup was gnawing on the rock I can possibly see the pup getting that sick.