Epibatidine is an extremely powerful toxin originally identified in poison dart frogs from northern South America.
It is about 100 times more potent than morphine and acts in a nicotine-like way on the nervous system.
Scientists first isolated the compound from frogs of the Epipedobates group.
Species that carry it include Anthony’s poison arrow frog and the Phantasmal poison frog.
Researchers believe the frogs obtain the toxin through their diet, because captive animals do not produce it.
Epibatidine blocks nicotinic receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
This action stops nerve signals to muscles.
It causes rapid paralysis, including of the respiratory muscles.
Death occurs through suffocation when breathing fails.
Scientists once studied the substance as a potential painkiller and for inflammatory lung disease.
Its extreme toxicity prevented any medical use.
Experts say its presence in the bloodstream would strongly suggest deliberate administration.
Laboratories can detect it using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, which identify its unique chemical fingerprint.
If used as a poison, the toxin would fall under international bans on chemical and biological weapons.
