Tetrodotoxin does not protect red-spotted newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, from intestinal parasites
Dietrich Mebs1, Mari Yotsu-Yamashita, Hanns Martin Seitz
1Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany. mebs@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Abstract:
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) and its analogue 6-epiTTX had been detected in the red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens. Thirty specimens of a population from Pennsylvania, USA were histologically examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. More than 50% were found to be infected with nematodes (Trichocephalidae), trematodes or cestodes (Pseudophyllidae). The mean values of TTX and 6-epiTTX in parasitized and in non-parasitized newts were not significantly different. Using a monoclonal antibody-based immunoenzymatic technique, TTX was localized in the intestinal tissue as well as in the parasites indicating that they accumulate the toxin and suggesting that TTX and 6-epiTTX are not providing protection from parasites to the newts.
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