Citation

Khoobdel M, Dehghani H, Tavana AM, Ghasemi M, Dakhteh SM, Hesni MA, Rezaie-Atagholipour M. Asian Pac. J. Trop. Med. 2017; 10(12): 1167-1171.

Affiliation

Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: rezaie1986@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.10.024

PMID

29268973

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fauna of a highly venomous marine species group, the cone snails (Family Conidae), in the shores of Qeshm Island, of evaluating the possibility of envenomation in the area and summarize recommendations for emergency first aid.

METHODS: Shores surrounding Qeshm Island were surveyed to collect cone snails during cold (February and March) and warm (May and June) seasons of 2017. Collected snails were identified to the species level. Abundance and species richness were estimated in shores of different structures, including muddy and sandy-rocky shores. Also, the most updated medical literature was reviewed to summarize related emergency first aid.

RESULTS: Three cone snail species were recorded from southern sandy-rocky shores of the Island, in decreasing order of abundance, included crowned cone (Conus coronatus) (65%), feathered cone (Conus pennaceus) (28%), and frigid cone (Conus frigidus) (7%). Abundance of these species were significantly higher in cold season compared to the warm season (P < 0.05). No cone snails were recorded along the northern muddy shores of the Island.

CONCLUSIONS: Envenomation can cause various symptoms ranging from minor local pain to systemic paralysis and death due to respiratory failure. We recommend an awareness programme for the seashore visiting public.

Copyright © 2017 Hainan Medical University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Envenomation symptoms; Sandy shores; Subtropical coastal waters; Venom