| Range |
>200 different alkaloids
|
| Organism |
Amphibians |
| Reference |
Clarke BT. The natural history of amphibian skin secretions, their normal functioning and potential medical applications. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 1997 Aug72(3):365-79. p.370 2nd paragraphPubMed ID9336100
|
| Primary Source |
Myers, C.W. & Daly, J.W. (1976). Preliminary evaluation of skin toxins and vocalisations in taxonomic and evolutionary studies of Poison-dart frogs (Dendrobatidae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 157, 173-262. AND Daly, J. W., Myers, C.W. & Whittaker, N. (1987). Further classification of skin alkaloids from neotropical poison frogs (Dendrobatidae), with a general survey of toxic/noxious substances in the Amphibia. Toxicon 25, 1023-1095.PubMed ID3321567
|
| Comments |
P.370 2nd paragraph: "Many of the compounds contained in granular gland secretions have a defensive role. Their pharmacological effects include cardiotoxic, myotoxic and neurotoxic activities, some are vasoconstrictive and hypotensive agents while others have hallucinogenic effects - all properties which would clearly adversely affect a potential predator. But why are there so many different types of compounds and why are there so many of any one type in a group of species or even in a single species? Over 200 different alkaloids have been identified from the skin of dendrobatid or poison-dart frogs of Central and South America (primary sources). The explanation for this apparent ‘over-production' probably lies in the surprisingly large number and variety of species which prey upon amphibians - mammals, birds, reptiles, other amphibians, spiders, scorpions, insects and possibly other terrestrial arthropods, in addition to a range of external parasites. When the number of potential pathogens in the environment is added to this list, one obtains a formidable array of adversaries." |
| Entered by |
Uri M |
| ID |
113178 |