"Primary purpose of this monograph is to provide a systematic, organized source of technical data on marine biotoxicology covering the total world literature from antiquity to modern times...A phylogenetic arrangement utilizing a historical approach has been adopted. Information on each phylogenetic group includes lists of venomous members, history of research, biology, morphology of the venom apparatus, medical aspects, toxicology, pharmacology, etc.. plus a bibliography for each section. Illustratd. Indexed. A 150 page history of marine toxicology begins volume one. The place to start on this subject.

Arthropod venoms have received much attention and have played an important role in folklore and medicine since ancient times. Scorpion envenomation, "tarant ism," bee and wasp stings are among those subjects about which most has been speculated and written in the past. In the last 50 years or so, a great number of scientific papers have been devoted to arthropod venoms, but only a few volumes have been designed to collect this rapidly increasing material, and these are not recent. Of late, the chemistry and mode of action of several arthropod venoms have been thoroughly studied, and some of these substances will probably be used as pharmacological tools and also as therapeutic agents. The aim of the present volume is to collect in manual form new information as well as the old notions on arthropod venoms. Even though it was our intention to present a volume on arthropod venoms, and not on venomous arthropods, inevitably we were forced to include information on venom-producing organisms as well. We assumed, in fact, that those scientists for whom the present manual is primarily intended (biochemists, particularly com parative biochemists, and pharmacologists) should be familiar with the biologic elements concerning the venom-producing species; which should show them how important it is to operate in close collaboration with biologists specialized in venomous arthropod systematics and biology.

Venomous Animals and their Venoms focuses on the comprehensive presentation of the entire field of the venomous members of the animal kingdom, chemistry and biochemistry of venoms, and pharmacological actions and their antigenic properties. The selection first offers information on the development of knowledge about venoms and the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and its venomous characteristics, including biology, venom apparatus, properties of venom, and significance of venom apparatus in Ornithorhynchus. The text then elaborates on the classification, biology, and description of the venom apparatus of insectivores of the genera Solenodon, Neomys, and Blarina and the chemistry and pharmacology of insectivore venoms. The publication takes a look at karyotypes, sex chromosomes, and chromosomal evolution in snakes and coagulant, proteolytic, and hemolytic properties of some snake venoms. Topics include hemolytic property, karyotypes of South American snakes, sex chromosomes, methods for the study of chromosomes of reptiles, and chromosomal evolution. The selection is a vital source of data for readers interested in venomous animals and their venoms.

Includes subject section, name section, and 1968-1970, technical reports.