Located in the rainforest of New Guinea, two new species of venomous birds have been found after more than 20 years. The discovery was made by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, publishing the result of the study in the format of an article in the scientific journal Wiley Online Library.
Discovery of new venomous birds
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The species is common in the Indo-Pacific region and used to exist there, but only now has science discovered that these birds are toxic and venomous.
In the published research, Knud Jonsson, one of the authors, stated that scholars discovered the species on their recent trip. They were considered toxic due to the fact that both birds have neurotoxin stored in the feathers.
They are the Whistler-regent species (Pachycephala schlegeli) and Red-headed Bird (aleadryas rufinucha) those identified as poisonous. In addition to the toxin in the plumage, the poison is also present in the body of these birds.
The name of the neurotoxin was identified as batrachotoxin, one of the most lethal for science.
Chemistry can be fatal
Batrachotoxin can be fatal to humans when exposed to high doses. The chemical can lead to death in the worst case scenario or cause the person to go into a seizure. The effects can present very serious cases when there is direct exposure.
As the research stated, this is the same substance found in the skin of poison dart frogs. When touching a poisonous frog, the human being is able to feel the most aggressive symptoms of the batrachotoxin reaction, which can easily lead to death.
However, although the exposure is completely severe, the birds found had lighter doses of the toxins. Contamination happens when there is very close contact with the bird.
For the researchers, equipped with what was needed at the time of the research, the sensation was as if they were chopping an onion: eyes burning, tears streaming and difficulty opening eyes and difficulty breathe.
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