SUMMARY
The points raised in this project concern the structure of the Opercular spine and associated venom glands of the Lesser weever fish (T.vipera). The methods used were basic histological methods combined with the use of a scanning electron microscope. The venom gland was found to be made up of two parts situated at the base of the Opercular spine and a short way up the spine (see fig 1 (venom glands arrowed))
Fig 1
Both venom glands were a mass of large globular venom cells which contained the venom surrounded by the outer membrane.
The Opercular spine (see fig 2) was also found to be made up of two distinct parts; the spine itself and a large Opercular plate with various muscle attachment points along with two basal grooves which accommodate the venom glands.
Fig 2
The spine was found to have a layered structure similar to that of a laminated board.
The protein stain used (Bromophenol blue) indicated that the venom was protein based due to the uptake of the stain both inside the glandular cells and outside (exuded cell contents due to the damage during preparation of slides). The spine also stained blue indicating the spine contained some element of protein.
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Distribution of The lesser weever fish.
Trachinus vipera.
Length: <14 cm when adult
Habitat and distribution: Often buried in sand, from shallow water down to 100m, The weever is found in Mediterranean, Atlantic, English channel and North sea.
Family name: Trachinidae
Related Species:
Trachinus draco
(The great weever)
Trachinus radiatus & T.araneus
(Southern weevers)
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References
Allman g.j (1840): On the stinging property of the Lesser weever (Trachinus vipera)
Ann mag. Nat Hist 6: p161-165
Drummond W.H (1840): Essay on the life and writings of Oppian DD MRIA
Transactions of Royal Irish Academy
Parker w.n. f.z.s (1888): On the poison-organs of Trachinus
Zoo. Soc of London: p359-367
Skeie E (1962): The venom organs of the Weeverfish (Trachinus draco)
Medd fra danmarks fiskeri 3: p327 - 338
Skeie E (1962b): Weeverfish toxin, Some Physiochemical and Immunological Observations.
Acta path et microbial scand: p229-238
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