Abstract
Summary
A thermal toxin (or toxins) has been demonstrated in the coelomic fluid of scalded starfish, Asterias forbesi, which upon injection into normal starfish proved to be fatal and capable of inducing autotomy. Evidence suggests that this heat stable, dialyzable toxin was derived from epithelial cells lining the coelomic cavity. This material was toxic in several invertebrate species. Its chemical nature and mechanism of action are unknown.
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