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Current state of venom evolution
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by CharlieO on April 9, 2014
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I just had a question that came to mind...
Is there any research into how recent (last couple of hundred years) habitat changes (and perhaps other environmental changes) may have influenced the ongoing evolution of venoms? I know it's a bit simplistic, but it would seem logical that venom toxicity might change if prey species become scarcer, making it more difficult for the predator to find a meal. Would scarcity perhaps influence a tendency towards those individuals with the greatest "stopping power", reducing the chances that they would lose prey following a strike?
Just wondering...if I'm completely off my rocker, please feel free to say so... Gently, please; I'm old and my heart might not take too much :)...
Charlie O.
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RE: Current state of venom evolution
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by choppergreg74 on April 9, 2014
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Hi Charlie. Im not sure if there are any publication out there, but over time various ground squirrels out west have become immune to some rattlesnake venoms. As a result these rattle snakes example Mojave rattlers do not all have the same type of venom some have Mojave type A I believe. The same thing is going on wit canebrake rattlesnakes on the east coast. That is why when one obtains these snakes one should try and find the origin of its locality. I know the same is true for tree vipers in Asia. Depending on the local depends on the diet and the venom has evolved over years to accommodate the survival needs of the snakes. Ive also seen venom from the same species of tree viper. One snake had clear venom the other had dark yellow. They were from different locals. Im no expert but Im sure there is a different composition. I hope this helps a little.
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RE: Current state of venom evolution
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by CharlieO on April 10, 2014
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Morning Greg..
Thanks for the note...
I knew there was some significant variation in Mojave and Canebrake/Timber venoms. I wasn't aware of the variation in tree vipers.
It would at least *seem* logical that prey scarcity could influence venom properties over time, I would at least think scarcity might influence diet choices (as you noted with the tree vipers). I would think the biggest impact on venom (and on overall survivability) from scarcity would be in species that wouldn't tolerate significant variation in prey...
Thanks again for the response...it's just some idle musing that got me thinking...:)
Charlie
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RE: Current state of venom evolution
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by Crotalusssp on April 10, 2014
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I cannot point you to any publications, but that hypothesis is very valid. Evolution is a continuous ongoing process and scarcity of prey items would definitely select for more toxic venom as well as other traits such as smaller size.
Charles
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