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Most Poisonous Species
Name: Jason T.
Status: student
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999-2001
Question:
What is the most poisonous species known to man (in terms
of venom potency)? I was told it was a certain amphibian but I believe
that ocean snakes are the most poisonous. Thank you for your help.
Replies:
This is not so easy to answer -- because dead is dead -- no matter how
many times over!!! What I mean is: "What is the criterion?"
It is important to specify what type of species -- land snake, sea snake,
jelly fish, spider, fish, insect, or microbe?
LD50 is a common test, but only a test, because it depends on which animal
and it doesn't always translate to human toxicity.
Having said all that, one toxin that has to be in the running is botulinium
(botulism). It has an LD50 rats of 10^-5 mg/Kg, and that "ain't" much!
Vince Calder
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Update: June 2012
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