The structural and functional diversification of the Toxicofera reptile venom system

Bryan G. Fry; Nick Casewell; Wolfgang Wüster; Nicolas Vidal; Bruce Young; Timothy N.W. Jackson

doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.02.013

The structural and functional diversification of the Toxicofera reptile venom system

Bryan G. Fry, Nick Casewell, Wolfgang Wüster, Nicolas Vidal, Bruce Young, Timothy N.W. Jackson

Tropical Disease Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

126 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. The diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly Varanus komodoensis). The more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some clades. Finally, we discuss the contentious issue of a definition for “venom”, supporting an evolutionary definition that recognises the homology of both the venom delivery systems and the toxins themselves.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	434-448
Number of pages	15
Journal	Toxicon
Volume	60
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.02.013
Publication status	Published - 15 Sept 2012

Keywords

Evolution
Gland
Molecular
Phylogeny
Protein
Reptile
Venom

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10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.02.013

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abstract = "The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. The diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly Varanus komodoensis). The more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some clades. Finally, we discuss the contentious issue of a definition for “venom”, supporting an evolutionary definition that recognises the homology of both the venom delivery systems and the toxins themselves.",

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AU - Casewell, Nick

AU - Wüster, Wolfgang

AU - Vidal, Nicolas

AU - Young, Bruce

AU - Jackson, Timothy N.W.

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N2 - The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. The diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly Varanus komodoensis). The more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some clades. Finally, we discuss the contentious issue of a definition for “venom”, supporting an evolutionary definition that recognises the homology of both the venom delivery systems and the toxins themselves.

AB - The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. The diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly Varanus komodoensis). The more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some clades. Finally, we discuss the contentious issue of a definition for “venom”, supporting an evolutionary definition that recognises the homology of both the venom delivery systems and the toxins themselves.

KW - Evolution

KW - Gland

KW - Molecular

KW - Phylogeny

KW - Protein

KW - Reptile

KW - Venom

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SP - 434

EP - 448

JO - Toxicon

JF - Toxicon

IS - 4

ER -

The structural and functional diversification of the Toxicofera reptile venom system

Abstract

Keywords

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