Is it true that mollusks of cones are poisonous and are very dangerous? How to recognize cones? This will help the photos of mollusks, as well as detailed description Cones that you find in our article.

What mollusks cones differ from their relatives, where do you live and how do you eat? To date, in the underwater kingdom there are more than 550 types of cones, but this is not the limit, because annually scientists find more and more new species.

Cones are representatives of the buccoullow mollusks, they received fame among scientists not only for their unimaginable colors and forms, but also for their poisonousness.

To meet representatives of the cone family, we will have to plunge into the water of the tropical seas, because these spaces are populated and there are cones. These buchetic clams are observed in the Atlantic, quiet and Indian Oceans. In terms of lifestyle cones - loners, they do not form any clusters or colonies.

As for the size of the cones, on average, the length of their shell varies from 6 to 20 centimeters. The appearance of these underwater creatures is described by scientists as beautiful, but not bright. What does it mean? On cones you can see the drawings of incredible beauty, but they are not made by multi-colored paints, such as, and more muted colors: white, brown, black, gray, yellow). Patterns of these mollusks can be in the form of spots, numerous points, strips and other forms.

The name "Cones" These clams were obtained for the ideal proper form of their shells. Their "house", which they always bear on themselves, has the appearance of a spiral spiral. The hole in the sink, through which the mollusk encourages his leg to move, is located on the side, while sometimes the sink has a similar "incision" almost for all its length. At the same time, the head of mollusk is aligned from the sink through another, very small, a hole located near the main "output".

In the front end of the body there are growns, there may be several. Mollusk's eyes are on short stalks, between which there is a catcher. Under this trunk, cones are located the oral hole. Those. In mollusk nature everything is provided so that caught food can immediately get into the mouth and be eaten.

We conclude from the previous description: cones are predatory animals. Multi-minded worms, minor fish, especially amphiprions, and their own "relatives" are becoming their prey, and their own "relatives" - other bunthogous clams. Hunt cones at night, during the day marine life Inactive.

How does the cone find a meal? These mollusks are captured by their victims with the help of a special organ called asframedy. Having hated the smell of the victim, the mollusk rushes in time by her, holding his delicate proboscis. And then…

And then the cone turns into the native of a spear. How do you ask? It's all about his teeth. They look like harpoon and can easily be separated from the Radules. In the dishonesty, the cones have toxin. Throwing your sacrifice sacrifice, the mollusk paralyzes prey, well, and then takes for lunch, slowly absorbing what caught.

Read more about Yade cone

Hunting cones helps a poison that has a neurotoxic effect, its name - konotoxin. This poison has an incredibly complex composition, but scientists approximately share all the Conotoxins on three main groups :

1. The so-called "hook with a fishing line", i.e. When the substance instantly stops the transfer of pulses from nerves to the muscles, so poisonous mining even sometimes does not have time to understand what happened to it, and why it does not move;
2. Poison "King Kong." This poison group has an action only on representatives of mollusks. They, without understanding what they do, simply crawl out of their shells, like some zombies, and the cone is already waiting for them, sorting out their mouth;
3. "Nirvana" is a poison that has a dopeful effect. Poished fish seems to be in full security, so without any doubt swims the hunter in his mouth.

The sea and oceans of our planet are inhabited by beautiful and amazing creatures - molluscs affecting a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. But often their beauty is not so harmless, as it may seem at first glance. These "cute" creations may be a serious threat to human life. Poisonous mollusks belong to representatives of the two classes: the buchelonium and charture. Let's get acquainted with them closer.

Cones and Terrabs - Poisonous Mollusks

Cones - bucheloga clams are considered the most dangerous, as they contain a very dangerous poison - neurotoxin.

To date, scientists have more than four hundreds of their species. They have a pink conical shape, reaching a length of 10-11 centimeters. Their leg is long and narrow, and the siphon is thick and short. The bottom side of the leg has a lid.

Very often, the cones of the sink with a beautiful color, as a rule, in the form of a wave-like pattern, occasionally by type of complex elite (for example, "Textile cone"). The sink is the inner surface of the bright orange color. Some of the types of cones are in service with long fleshy proboscis, nominating far beyond their sink.

These buchelonium poisonous mollusks at the end of the doctor has several sharp teeth that are arranged by the type of grater. Their foundation is just the poisonous glands.

The injection of "teeth" is accompanied by acute pain and numbness of the place of defeat. First, the place of bite begins to pale, and then the sonyusiness appears.

Such a feeling of numbness often applies to the oral cavity and other parts of the body. In the most difficult cases may be accompanied by fainting, spastic paralysis of skeletal muscles, heart failure, etc. Some types of cones have a deadly dam.

The list "The most poisonous mollusks" heads the cone geographical.

Many researchers describe cases when people fell on poisonous cones or careless tourists during a tour of the reefs took into the hands of cone-shaped mollusks, and their proboscis dug into human flesh. Soon there were signs of poisoning, and some affected died and not reaching the hospital.

Cones are common on the shallows of the seas and oceans of tropical latitudes. Often found in Indian and Pacific Oceans, the pools of the Red and Caribbean seas, as well as many other places.

To date, there are no specific drugs that can neutralize the Cone poison. The treatment diagram developed to treat lesions by various poisonous fish is used. For removal of pain, morphine preparations and other painkillers are introduced. And for the prevention of seizures, intravenous drugs are introduced as: sulfate magnesia, calcium gluconate, etc. In the occurrence of allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes, antihistamines are prescribed.

When providing first emergency care in place, it is necessary to cut the skin on the site of the "bite", to suck the poison. Above the place of the defeat, you need to impose harness for thirty minutes and put in hot water With the addition of the cooking salt, the affected place. Next, it is necessary to make a novocain blockade around the bite space.

In order to avoid such consequences, cone-shaped poisonous mollusks should be taken in such a way that their proboscis could not reach your vulnerable hand.

In addition to the cones, the poisonous apparatus has a terrent. Her sink is very similar to curled high turreka. The Terebra has a poisonous apparatus has the same "device" like a cone. It can also be found on the bells of the tropical seas.

Therefore, resting on the sea coast in the tropics, you need to be as cautious as possible, and try to avoid contact with these dangerous, albeit very beautiful creatures.

Poisonous octopus

These most interesting clams belong to a varied family of charts. The upper surface of their gray, bag-shaped body "decorate" warts. Also at octopuses in Arsenal, eight tentacles with 2 rows of suckers.

Large round eyes, mouth with strong horny jaws similar to the beak parrot. Octopuses are widespread in the coastal waters of partially moderate, subtropical and tropical latitudes of all oceans.

Serious danger represent the bites of certain types of octopus - residents of the tropical seas.

Octopuses do not apply to the number of aggressive marine animals and, as a rule, do not harm people if they do not provoke them. But, if a meeting with the "synecologist" still happened, be extremely attentive.

Here are such dangerous poisonous clamsses in the World Ocean, and who knows how many more new species of these hazardous creation It will be known in the coming decades. After all, today the "water shell" of the Earth has been studied only by 5%.

And if you want to learn more about the poisonous synecole octopus, then this article will tell you about him:

And with other, interesting representatives different species Mollusks, you will be introduced these articles:

Poisonous Snails Vantor January 28th, 2015

Our story is devoted to representatives of one of the most, perhaps, beautiful birth of the bunthogs of mollusks - kind of cone (Conus). Such a name, these snails received for the form of their sink, which really has the form of almost the right cone.

If this is news for you, the snails can really be the most real predators. Most of the cones are not dangerous for a person. Their poison is designed for worms, other mollusks and sometimes fish. Nevertheless, there are several dozen cones, whose poison can not only cause pain or paralysis, but also lead to the death of a person.

Let's find out about them more ...

Cones are very diverse. Now they have already more than 550 species, and every year they describe all new and new ones. Most of these clams are inhabitants of the tropics, but there are species living and moderately warm seasFor example, in the Mediterranean.

Collectors appreciate the cones sinks for amazing beauty and variety of color. German collectors for especially outstanding copies of some types of cones paid up to 200 thousand brands and even more. And it is ne new fashion. Back in 1796, the auction was held on Linete, on which two pictures of Franz Hals, the famous film of the Vermer Delftsky "Woman in Blue, reading writing" (now she is located at the Royal Museum in Amsterdam) and five-meantimeter (just! ) Cone sink C. Cedonulli ("incomparable"). Pictures of Hals went for a scentual, the veer was sold for 43 Gulden, and the cone for 273 Guldenon!

Photo 3.

about cones are interesting not only with their sinks. No less known the ability of these mollusks to apply poisonous "bites." Poisonous iron is located inside the very specific "teeth" of mollusk. These teeth resembling hollow needles are located at the cones on a long flexible plate - Radule. Radules are available in many bucculets, with her help snail scrape pieces, which are then sent to the mouth. The Roth's cones are located on a moving trunk. The hunting mollusk (and cones - predators) first take away one of his poisonous teeth from the Radulu, and then, holding this tooth clamped in the mouth, sticks it into his prey. The proboscis is compressed, and the poison of the tooth is injected into the body of the victim. Most cones feed on marine worms, but there are molluscane cones, and fisherman cones. The last poison is stronger. His action is manifested in a second after the injection. The cone slimmed by the victim swallows entirely and quickly digests ...

Photo 4.

But how can snail catch the fish? Fisherman cones hunt an ambush, tearing in the sand. The mining approaches the mollusk learns on the smell, and he plays the role of the nose of an osfradium - an organ located in the mantle cavity at the base of the gills. Having reassured the fish, the cone instantly attacks a poisonous tooth. Representatives of certain types are melted by the movements by the movements of their drive, resembling a worm, or special increases located along the edge of the head. And the geographical cone adapted even to "throw the nemid": his whole head can stretch, acquiring the appearance of the funnel to 10 cm in diameter. In this funnel and swims stupid fish.

Photo 5.

Poison cones - Conotoxin - for the first time he was investigated by an American B. Voliver. It is a mixture large number low molecular weight peptides containing 10-30 amino acids. Its actually with the action of poison cobra - it blocks the transmission of the signal from the nerves to the muscles. As a result, the busting is rapidly developing numbness, and then death occurs as a result of a heart stop. When scientists were synthesized by Conotoxins and began to study their action, it turned out that the substance included in the poison can not only lead to death, but also to cause sleep, remove cramps or, on the contrary, to become the cause. In addition, peptides were discovered with a very strange action - mice that were injected, they began to jump and climb on the walls. Another Konotoxin, called the "King Kong", did not have actions on warm-blooded animals, but forced mollusks to crawl out of their shells!

In short, the poisons of cones turned out to be very diverse, unusual in action and very promising for medicine. Already, they are based on medications, for example, against epileptic seizures. Or painkillers similar in their action with morphine, but not exciting.

Photo 6.

But medicines with medicines, and to the cones themselves should be treated with great care. They use their "sting" not only when hunting, but also for protection in case of danger. So, if you happen to get into the tropics and swim in the warmth of the tropical sea, beware of tall strangers, even if they are very beautiful. And in no case do not touch the mouth in the lower, narrow part - it is there that the cones are poisonous teeth. Poison cones is very strong, and the injections of certain species, in particular, the geographical cone may be fatal. Antidote does not exist, and the only way to rescue is abundant bloodletting from the place of deposition.

Photo 7.

A new study shows that at least two types of cows snails turned insulin into real weapons of underwater struggle. When these water predators are chosen to their prey, they produce insulin - a hormone, which makes the blood sugar level dramatically fall.

In the nearby fish there is not a single chance. A sharp emission of insulin penetrates the gills and gets into the bloodstream - and later, a few years later, fish does not turn out to be sufficiently energy to float and avoid the fate of being eaten.

The lead author of the study of Helena Safavi, a professor of biology from the University of Utah, and her colleagues discovered "weapons" insulin while screening poisons of various types of cows snails. More than 100 species of these underwater predators are about 15 centimeters long, which produce complex toxins to paralyze their victims. In the past, scientists even used poison cones for the creation of drugs - for example, anesthetic Zikotide (trade name - prialt), which is 1000 times stronger than morphine and imitates toxin snail CONUS Magus

Photo 8.

The cones that are used to injected their food small harpins do not use insulin, but two types - Conus Geographus and Conus Tulipa - took this hormone into service.

People produce insulin in their pancreas, but the mollusk produces it in neuroendocrine cells. Moreover, it is unexpectedly two types of these found cones produce ordinary insulin in neuroendocrine cells, and "weapons" in its poisonous gland.

Photo 9.

Conus GEGRAPHUS Conus Shell, which uses insulin for fish hunting

Another curious fact is insulin found in cones, is the shortest molecular insulin discovered today. Perhaps this is a consequence of its highly specialized task - to reduce the level of sugar in the mining of snails. Now his study can help scientists in developing new drugs for treating diabetes

When the cone approaches the victim at a sufficient distance, he throws his "harpoon" into it, at the end of which a poisonous tooth is located. All poisonous teeth are located on the Radule of the Mollusk (apparatus serving for scrapering and grinding food) and when production is discovered, one of them is extended from the pharynx. Then he passes to the beginning of the trunk and clamped at its end. And then, holding this kind of harpoon on the finished, the cone shoots them sacrificing. As a result, it receives a decent dose of the strongest toxin with paralytic effect.
Little mollusk fish swallow immediately, and in large strings like a stocking.

The following subspecies are considered to be the most poisonous: geographical cone (Conus Geographus), a brocked cone, a tulip cone, a marble cone and a pearl cone.

Photo 10.

sources

Based on materials: Yu.I. Cantor / Nature. 2003. No. 10.

This brox-legged mollusk is not only the most dangerous representative of the cone family, but also the most poisonous snail in the world. His scientific name is a geographical cone. Habitat Area - Indo-Pacific. Mollusk prefers to live in warm waters in shallow water, so it is a real threat to tourists who, most likely, do not even suspect his existence.

Armed and very dangerous

The geographical cone is a predator who prefers to hunt in small fish, worms. Mollusk has a truth-like sting, through which a very toxic poison is injected into his victim. Since the speed of movement of the geographical cone along the bottom of the ocean is too small, he prefers to occupy the expectant position. As soon as mining swims or crawls nearby, the mollusk lightly attacks. The victim gets a deadly dose of poison, which instantly paralyzes her. The geographical cone swallows its lunch entirely.

What may end with a mollusk

Unlike most mollusks that, when meeting with a person, prefer to hide in the sink, the geographical cone acts rather aggressively, often attacks first. The attack of the cone can end the painful bite, which in its feelings look like a burn. After that, the proven place begins to brighten, and then shine. The affected area is eager.

Despite its relatively small sizes (up to 10 centimeters in diameter), the mollusk carries a deadly threat to a person. Over the past decade, the geographical cone killed more than thirty people. As a rule, death occurs due to drowning. If the rested is in the water away from the coastline, he simply does not have time to get to the shore. The neuro-paralytic poison leads to partial or complete paralysis of the body, and the victim loses the ability to swim.

At the moment, there is no effective antidote that could not have the impact of this poison on the human body. Therefore, there are cases when tourists sitting after a geographical cone bite, being on a hospital bed. To save life, experts recommend to make a deep incision at the bite place for abundant bloodletting.

Effect of poison

The geographical cone, like other representatives of this family, produces poison, whose scientific name is Conotoxin. The first studies of the toxic substance that mollusk kills his sacrifice, held an American professor B. Oliver. It becomes clear from its report that Conotoxin is a mixture of a huge amount of low molecular weight peptides, which contain up to 30 amino acids. Based on this, it can be argued that the effect of the poison of the geographical cone is similar to the cobra poison. It is partially or fully blocks the transfer of pulses from the nerves to the muscles. At the victim affected by the poison of the geographical cone, numbness is rapidly developing, after which the painful death occurs as a result of the heart stop.

So that your vacation does not end on the hospital bed, experts recommend avoiding any tactile contact with the geographical cone. This mollusk is quite often found in the Red Sea, washing the shores of Egypt, which so loved tourists from Russia.

If you are immersed under water, for example, in aqualing to admire the nature underwater world, Try to do not touch anything. As a rule, the cone bursts into the sand and sits in ambush. As soon as he understands that you are too close, it will go into the attack and will try to worry.

Use of poison in medical force

Despite the deadly danger of a geographical cone, he, like many other poisonous representatives of the animal world, is of great interest among the staff of the medical and biological profile. Toxic neuro-paralytic poison, which produces these clams, is able not only to apply serious damage to the body, but also be very useful.

The geographical cone produces a poison containing a huge amount of proteins that can be used as an anesthetics. According to the latest research, with the help of these protein compounds, it is possible to selectively affect those or other human receptors, and the result from their use is several thousand times higher than the effect of the use of morphine. But in contrast to the latter, the poison of the geographical cone does not cause dependence.

Also from a toxic substance that is produced by mollusks, scientists have learned to extract "pure" conforms. They are based on drugs that help people suffering from convulsive seizures significantly reduce their number.

The first written mention of the geographical cone dates back to 1777. Then the sink of this mollusk was considered the most beautiful, rare and valuable in the world. Collectors were ready to post a few thousand dollars, just to get a precious shell, which became a real pearl of any collection.

The situation has changed dramatically in the middle of the twentieth century, when scientists explored the entire habitat of the geographical cone. As it turned out, these mollusks are fully in the Indo-Pacific region, and some tribes living on the coast, their seashells even decorated the walls of their homes. To date, the cost of the cone sink varies within ten dollars, and they can be purchased on popular Internet sites, for example, Aliexpress.

Those who first fall into the Red Sea are impressed by the abundance of beautiful shells. You can buy them from merchants, find on the shore or see live, swimming with a mask in coral reefs.
The most common - cones. There are already 550 species, there are already 550 species and no less than a dozen new ones are described annually. This is the most collectible and dear type of shells. They are from two to ten sizes - fifteen centimeters. Meet all oceans and even in the Mediterranean Sea. The fact that almost all snails cones poisonous, it is known for a long time. They are comparable to them with cobra poison, but it is much more toxic. When bite, the body numbers and a heart stop developing rapidly. Antidote does not exist, since the cous poison consists of more than 50 low molecular weight peptides containing 20-30 amino acids. It acts instantly, the fish is immobilized in 2-3 seconds.

For a person, bite of any type of cone is extremely dangerous. Lidizes Geographical cone. - Mortality caused by the shield of this mollusk is 70%. A real rescue from death is the method used by the Papuas of New Guinea - abundant bloodletting and massage of the heart.

Now and think whether it is worth picking up beautiful seashells among corals or better limit ourselves to watch from the side.
To such a gloomy description should be added: Of course, not every day of hotels take off the stretcher with victims. And not always cones stuff. Two years ago, by ignorance, I collected them with bare hands (the photo is attached). And of course, it is not a fact that you will get a deadly poisonous geographical cone, but remember - out of ten branched them, only three survive. It is a fact.

The sting of the cone is located in the channel narrow part of the shell. If you want to definitely pull it out of the water, take over the wide part of the sink.
Resting in Egypt, and swimming with a mask, you will probably see a lot of interesting under water. Tip - Do not touch anything with your hands, better buy an underwater camera. Impressions will be no less, but health Savings.

Another equally interesting representative of the Krasnomoral fauna - Tridacnidae - Giant Mollusk. Beautiful seashell from 10 to 30 cm, incurred partially or completely in reef, with beautiful turquoise or blue wavy edges.

Giant bivalve mollusk - Tridakn.
They look amusing and beautiful scallops, but in fact it is the famous giant mollusk - the killer. Known instances weighing 100 - 200 kg. The principle of "murder" is simple - the shell is ajar, and inside the pearl is glitter. You can put the hand behind it, it will not work out. The flaps are closed quickly and very tight. Such a trap can not be dismissed even by mounting. Cases are known when divers dresses in such a trap. The story in which the poor fellow I had to cut off the brush of the hands to get free and survive, is not officially confirmed, but quite admissible. There are other information - when human remains were found in the half-euro sink. Considering the size and strength of sash compression - this outcome is quite possible. This is the most ancient and largest bivalve mollusk on the ground. On average, its dimensions: 30 - 40 cm, but there are copies of one and a half - two meters, and weigh no less semi-ton. And they live 200 - 300 years and more.