Convergent evolution of pain-inducing defensive venom components in spitting cobras
Taline D. Kazandjian(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Daniel Petras(Scripps Institution of Oceanography), Samuel D. Robinson(The University of Queensland), Jory van Thiel(Leiden University), Harry W. Greene(Cornell University), Kevin Arbuckle(Swansea University), Axel Barlow(Bangor University), David A. Carter(The University of Queensland), Roel M. Wouters(Leiden University), Gareth Whiteley(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Simon C. Wagstaff(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Ana Silvia Arias(Universidad de Costa Rica), Laura-Oana Albulescu(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Anthony Plettenberg Laing(Bangor University), Cara Hall(Bangor University), A. Heap(Bangor University), S. Penrhyn-Lowe(Bangor University), Ciara Mccabe(University of Bristol), Stuart Ainsworth(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Ricardo Silva(Universidade de São Paulo), Pieter C. Dorrestein(University of California San Diego), Michael K. Richardson(Leiden University), José Marı́a Gutiérrez(Universidad de Costa Rica), Juan J. Calvete(Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Robert A. Harrison(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Irina Vetter(The University of Queensland), Eivind A. B. Undheim(The University of Queensland), Wolfgang Wüster(Bangor University), Nicholas R. Casewell(Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)
Cited by 164Open Access
Abstract
From offense to defense Venom in snakes is largely used to subdue and/or kill prey, and most venoms have clear actions that facilitate death or paralysis. In one group of snakes, however, venom has evolved and shifted from predation to protection. Specifically, in three different lineages of “spitting” snakes, venom is used to deter predators. Kazandjian et al. show that similar adaptions have occurred within these lineages that transform cytotoxic components into a mixture that acts on mammalian sensory neurons and causes pain. The authors argue that increased predation on these lineages led to similar shifts in venom function. Science , this issue p. 386
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