"Sidelights"

William N. Eschmeyer informed CA: "Most of my research has been on a large group of marine fishes that comprise the family Scorpaenidae. Included in this group are the tropical stonefishes, turkeyfishes and their allies, and the rockfishes and rockcods off the Pacific coast of the United States. Many of the species are venomous, and some, such as the stonefishes, can be deadly. My studies have shown that, instead of two species, there are actually four, and we must assume that these species differ in their venoms. Australian workers have prepared antidotes for these venoms and are studying the venom chemistry for possible pharmaceutical products. Systematic studies also provide information necessary for fisheries management of such...