Myriapoda
millipedes/centipedes

Arachnida
scorpions/spiders

Arthropoda
insects

Vertebrata
reptiles/mammals


Animal-related Injuries relevant to the Maltese Islands - Terrestial

The Maltese Islands are a small archipelago comprising a group of small low islands situated in the Central Mediterranean. The small land area [comprising only a total of 315.6 sq km], the restricted natural habitat and the restricted natural water supply have all led to a relative restriction in animal species variety living on the Islands. In spite of this, the long insularity has resulted in the development of some endemic species in all the animal orders, including the vertebrata.

The Maltese Islands - Geography
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The MalteseIslands are generally lacking in animal species that can be considered significantly poisonous. Folklore has attributed the dearth of significant poisonous species the the advent of the apostle Paul in Malta in ~60 AD, through which incident he banished all poisonous species - specifically the snakes from the Islands. The reasons for this absence of significant poisonous species is more likely due to the natural ecology prevalent on the Islands during the Holocene.

In spite of the relative freedom of the Islands from significsnt poisonous species, there still a number of animal species which technically are venomous since they possess poison glands used in defence or in the capture of prey. The venom of these species is not generally overtly poisonous to man, but can elicit symptoms specific to the injected venom. In addition, the venom can elicit a hypersensitivity anaphylactic reaction in sensitised individuals. The majority of these problem species belong to the animal classes known as MYRIAPODA ie centipedes and millipedes, ARTHOPODA ie insects, and ARACNIDA ie scoprions and spiders. The animal species belonging to the VERTEBRATA, including the domesticated animals, can deliver a serious sometimes extensive bite that will require medical management.

The increasing interest in keeping exotic pets, including spiders and snakes, may result in the introduction of more venomous and dangerous species. Though the importation of these animals is strictly controlled, the importers and keepers should make themselves fully conversant with the medical import of these species and take the necessary precautions to prevent injuries to themselves and others. Other potentially venomous species may enter the Islands through accidental importation with merchandise. A number of specimens - including spiders, insects and reptiles - have been reported as having been accidentally imported to the Maltese Islands. Any unfamiliar-looking insect or animal found with merchandise should be handled with care to prevent untoward accidents.

Some animal species can be considered "Public-health Pests"; others have been useful in medical theerapeutics and research. A review of the invertebrate species relevant to medicine in Malta has been published.


 

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