Platypus Envenomation :: Australian Animals Wildlife Essays

Platypus EnvenomationAbstractThe duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), society Monotrema, can be found throughout river systems in east Australia. The males have a retractile spur located on each of their hind legs. The spurs are given up to venom glands that produce a toxic cocktail of at least iv antithetic classes of peptides. These four compounds (Hyaluronidase, OvCNP-39, OvNGF, and defensin-like peptides) are highly selective enzymes and polypeptides that work together to inflict excruciating pain and edema that can last for months. The starting line compound identified, Hyaluronidase, lowers viscosity to allow for a deeper penetration of the venom into tissue. A C-type natriuretic peptide called OvCNP-39 stick outs to edema. OvNGF is a nerve growth factor that is responsible for essential sensitivity to heat and pressure. The role of Defensin-like proteins is not well known, but it is believed that they present the pain and edema associated with the venom. An unknown compound has been found to induce Ca++ dependent current in root ganglion cells, which may also contribute to the feeling of pain. Research is being done to identify the roles of these compounds and the possibility of them being used in medicine.IntroductionThe Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a unique sentient being that is found only in Australia. It is in the class Mammalia and the order Monotrema. Monotremes are phylogenetically the oldest of the mammals and can only be found by nature in Australia and in nearby New Guinea. They are quite different from placentals and marsupials and are believed to be the link between the reptiles and the other mammals. This is most noted though their means of reproduction and waste elimination. Montremes have a cloaca, which is a single opening for passage of solid and liquid waste, where the transfer of spermatozoan takes place, and in females, the laying of eggs. This feature is shared only with birds and reptiles. Platypuses live solo, ask out during the breeding season. They feed on worms and freshwater crayfish (Cheerax destructor) in eastern Australian rivers (Sutherland, 1983). They have low average body temperature compared to other mammals, which pull ahead supports their reptilian evolution (Torres et al., 1999). They can live about 16 days and grow to be 40-50 cm long, with males being larger than females (Jackson, 2003).Venom output signal & DeliveryA characteristic that helps add even more to the platypus uniqueness is the males ability to produce and deliver venom.