Toxic factors in starfishes

Abstract

Watery extracts of Asterias rubens, A. glacialis and Henricia sanguinolenta produce a strong, nearly irreversible contraction of the isolated Buccinum radula muscle. The responsible factors (or factor) are inactivated by boiling. The escape reaction of Pecten, when confronted with A. glacialis, is probably caused by another factor, than those which produce muscle contraction.