Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Marine Drugs

Volume

8

Issue

3

Publisher

MDPI

Publication Date

2-2010

First Page

381

Last Page

398

Abstract

The behavioral and chemical ecology of marine organisms that possess tetrodotoxin (TTX) has not been comprehensively reviewed in one work to date. The evidence for TTX as an antipredator defense, as venom, as a sex pheromone, and as an attractant for TTX-sequestering organisms is discussed. Little is known about the adaptive value of TTX in microbial producers; thus, I focus on what is known about metazoans that are purported to accumulate TTX through diet or symbioses. Much of what has been proposed is inferred based on the anatomical distribution of TTX. Direct empirical tests of these hypotheses are absent in most cases.

Comments

Special Issue of Marine Drugs, Tetrodotoxin.

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