DANGEROUS SEA LIFE 



and cavernous jaws. They may usually be found lurking around 



rocks, caverns, or old wrecks. 

 MARINE ANIMALS THAT STING 



The lethal abilities of stingrays were described in early Greek 

 literature. Numerous other references to the harm inflicted by the 

 stings of marine animals have been recorded in ancient literature and 

 in news reports of later years. While the stings of fish were being 

 analyzed as a recognized danger before the turn of the century, the 

 causes of many disabling occupational illnesses experienced by marine 

 workers remained obscure until fairly recent times. The sponge 

 fishermen's disease, for example, has been found to be caused not by 

 the sponge but by the stinging tentacles of very small sea anemones 

 which adhere to the sponge. 

 A. Invertebrates 



The poisonous invertebrate marine animals that inflict injury 

 by stinging may be divided into 4 main groups: 



(1) The coelenterates, including corals and sea anemones, 

 jellyfishes, and hydroids. 



(2) The molluscs, including univalve shellfish and octopuses. 



(3) The annelid worms, including bloodworms and bristle- 

 worms. 



(4) The echinoderms or sea urchins. 



COELENTERATES 



Coral polyps and sea anemones of the coelenterate group are 

 often mistaken for sponges. In reality they are a more advanced 

 form of life. The coelenterates may be likened to an uncorked flex- 

 ible bottle, with a circle of tentacles at the mouth designed for capt- 

 uring food. The points of interest, however, are the remarkable 

 stinging cells which are used for the capture of food or as a defense 

 against enemies. This apparatus consists of a trigger hair which, 

 when touched, actuates a spine followed by a hollow-thread through 

 which a paralyzing drug is injected into the victim. The stinging 

 cells or nematocysts are the source of many illnesses encountered by 

 skin divers, sponge fishermen, and other marine workers. 



Coelenterates are divided generally into 3 classes, examples of 

 which are as follows: 



1. The hydroids, which are commonly encountered tufted 

 on pilings, seaweeds, or rocks. The more common types, all of 

 which possess stinging cells, are: 



(a) Fire Coral, Millepora aleicornis, a false coral, some- 

 times called stinging coral, is generally found among the true 

 corals in warm waters of the tropical Pacific or Indian 

 Oceans, as well as in the Red Sea and Caribbean. 



(b) Portuguese Man of War, Pkysalia physalis, also 

 called Blue Bottle, is often mistaken for a jellyfish. This 

 hydroid floats on the surface of the water in all tropical 

 oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. The stinging tentacles 

 may trail several feet down into the water. 



2. Jellyfishes; this includes the large bell-shaped medusae 

 having 8 notches on the margin, and many other species which 

 can be considered especially dangerous: 



(a) Sea Wasp, Carybdea alata (Figure 9), inhabits the 

 tropical areas of all oceans. 



(b) Sea Wasp, Chiropsalmus quadrigatus, is an especi- 

 ally dangerous inhabitant of Australian and Philippine areas 

 and the Indian Ocean. A less dangerous, but related form, 

 is found in the Atlantic Ocean. 



(c) Sea Nettle, Dactylometra quinquecirrka, is a widely 

 distributed form which may be found as far north as New 

 England coastal waters, as well as in all tropical sea areas. 



(d) Sea Blubber, Cyanea capillata, inhabits the North 

 Atlantic and Pacific to the Arctic Ocean. Other stinging 

 species of this genus exist southward into tropical areas. 



3. The sea anemones and corals include venomous mem- 

 bers as follows: 



(a) Elk Horn Coral, Acropora palmata (Figure 10), 

 inhabits the Florida Keys, Bahamas, and West Indies. 



(b) Sea Anemones, Actinia equina, inhabits the Atlantic 

 from the Gulf of Guinea to the Arctic Ocean and the Medi- 

 terranean and Black Seas, including the Sea of Azov. 



(c) Rosy Anemone, Sagartia elegans, inhabits eastern 

 Atlantic Ocean waters from Iceland to the African coast 

 and the Mediterranean Sea. 



Coelenterate tentacles may be sticky for holding, or long for 

 entangling, and may be equipped with stinging cells. The stinging 

 cells, or nematocysts (Figure 11), are situated in the outer layers of 

 tissue on the tentacles and may be likened to tiny, diabolical hypo- 

 dermic syringes and needles arranged to inject a paralyzing drug into 

 an unwary victim. They are elaborately armed weapons, cocked 

 and ready to fire on contact. Swimmers who brush against a jelly- 

 fish may be stung by literally thousands of tiny poison weapons or 

 minute sting organs. 



Symptoms produced by coelenterate stings vary according to 

 kind or locality. Some persons react in different ways than others. 

 Wounds are primarily local skin irritations. A few are painful and 

 ulceration may follow. The sea wasp or Chiropsalmus is a most 

 venomous organism and can produce human death in 3 to 8 minutes. 



Stinger symptoms vary and range from a mild prickly or stinging 

 sensation to a throbbing pain which may render the victim uncon- 

 scious. The pain may be localized or may radiate to the armpit, groin, 

 or abdomen. Local redness may be followed by inflammatory swelling, 

 blistering, or minute skin hemorrhage. There may be shock, mus- 

 cular cramps, loss of sensation, nausea, vomiting, severe backache, 

 frothing of the mouth, constriction of the throat, loss of speech, 

 difficulty in breathing, paralysis, delirium, convulsions, and finally, 

 death. 



The usual treatment is directed toward relieving the pain, alle- 

 viating the effects of the poison, and controlling shock. Morphine 

 may be used to relieve the pain. Histaminics by mouth, or creams 

 applied locally, may prove valuable in treatment of the rash. Sooth- 

 ing lotions such as olive oil, ethyl alchohol, sodium bicarbonate, and 

 dilute ammonium hydroxide have been used. Artificial respiration, 

 stimulants, and other measures may be necessary. Specific anti- 

 dotes are not known. 



Avoidance of original contact with the tentacles is important. 

 The tentacles may trail as long as 50 feet, so jellyfish must be given 

 a wide berth. Rubber suits or tight fitting woolen underwear have 

 proven to be useful protection. Dead jellyfish found on the beach 

 are also hazardous, as the nematocyst remain potent. Waters which 

 have been storm lashed may contain many shreds of tentacles which 

 can each inflict a wound. Swimmers or others, after contact, should 

 leave the water and seek treatment. Washing of the poisoned skin 

 area with dilute ammonia or alcohol, as soon as possible, will be 

 helpful. Mineral oil or baby oil may help to alleviate the stinging 

 sensations. 



CORAL CUTS 



Wounds inflicted by the stony corals are an ever-present annoy- 

 ance to marine workers in tropical areas. The calcareous, razor-sharp 

 edges produce wounds which are notoriously slow to heal. Coral cuts, 

 if left untreated, may, under adverse living conditions, become ulcer- 

 ous. Stinging cells, similar to those of jellyfish, may complicate the 

 conditions. Red welts and itching are often a primary reaction to 

 ordinary coral cuts. 



Treatment involves prompt cleansing of the wound and removal 

 of particles. Application of antiseptic agents should follow. If the 

 case is severe, bed rest or elevation of the limb may be required. 

 Various poultices and applications have proven helpful in varying 

 degrees. Antihistaminic drugs taken by mouth or applied locally may 

 afford a measure of relief to the patient. 



Activity carried out in the vicinity of coral requires the wearing 

 of appropriate protective clothing. Heavy shoes, gloves, and outer 

 garments will help to prevent contact. 



MOLLUSCS 

 Typical members of this group that may produce a venomous 

 sting or bite, fall into 2 categories: (1) those with a spirally twisted 

 single shell, (Gastropods), and (2) those with no shell, such as the 

 octopus or squid, (Cephalopods). 



GASTROPODS 



The Gastropods or univalve molluscs include land, freshwater, 

 and marine snails and slugs. They are characterized by a single 

 spirally coiled shell, or, as an exception, without a shell as is the 

 case of the slugs. Typically, a distinct head, 1 or 2 pairs of tentacles, 

 and a flattened fleshy foot exist. The shell or coned type are poten- 

 tially dangerous and may be of concern to those who work or live 

 near the beach. Cone shells of this type (Figure 12) have long been 

 collected because of the attractive patterns displayed. Of more than 



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