MARINE ANIMALS THAT STING 



83 



Toad fish, Bagre Sapo, Sapo, Thalassophryne reticulata Giinther 

 (Fig. 49, Bottom). Inhabits the Pacific Coast of Central America. 



In addition to the above, there are several other closely related 

 species inhabiting certain coastal areas of Central and South 

 America. 



Fig. 50. Head of toadfish, Thalassophryne, showing the location of the dorsal 



and opercular stings. 



Venom Apparatus. The venom apparatus of toadfishes consists 

 of two dorsal fin spines, two gill cover spines, and their associated 

 venom glands (Fig. 50). The dorsal spines are slender and hollow, 

 slightly curved, and terminate in sharp, needle-like points. At the 

 base and tip of each spine is an opening through which the venom 

 passes. The base of each dorsal spine is surrounded by a glandular 

 mass from which the venom is produced. Each gland empties into 

 the base of its respective spine (Fig. 51, Top). The operculum is 

 also highly specialized as a defensive organ for the introduction 

 of venom. The horizontal limb of the operculum is a slender, hoi- 



