Bioweapons synthesis and storage: The venom gland of front-fanged snakes

Mackessy, Stephen P.; Baxter, Louise M.

doi:10.1016/j.jcz.2006.01.003

Cited by 74 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…I suggest it has done so partly through structural and physiological mechanisms associated with transferring information from the fang to its control muscles. Although a key element of this problem is obviously the evolution of venom efficacy (e.g., Fry and Wüster 2004;Mackessy and Baxter 2006), the other part of the time-constraining process is injecting the venom into the prey. For vipers striking at relatively large and potentially dangerous prey, rapid achievement of effective fang placement underlies successful envenomation.…”

Section: Anatomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Viper Fangs: Functional Limitations of Extreme Teeth

Cundall

2009

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

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The fangs of vipers are extremely long, rotating, hollow teeth. Analysis of video records of more than 750 strikes recorded at 60 or 250 frames per second for 285 individuals representing 86 species in 31 genera shows that vipers reposition fangs after initial contact with prey in more than a third of the strikes. Repositioning resulted when fangs missed prey entirely or hit prey regions that did not permit adequate penetration. The prevalence of repositioning, even among species that normally release prey, suggests strong selective pressure for rapid neuromotor response to fang placement error. The rapidity of repositioning suggests the existence of (a) fine-scale sensory detection of fang penetration depth, (b) rapid modulation of contraction of antagonistic muscles, and (c) possibly neurological modifications to shorten transmission time between sensory input and motor output. Extreme fang length has apparently coevolved with extreme functions.

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Section: Anatomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Viper Fangs: Functional Limitations of Extreme Teeth

Cundall

2009

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology

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“…This cell debris may be ejected along with venom during prey envenomation or during venom extraction [40,41]. Degradative venom enzymes (nucleases, exonucleases, etc.)…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

DNA Barcodes from Snake Venom: a Broadly Applicable Method for Extraction of DNA from Snake Venoms

2018

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DNA barcoding is a simple technique used to develop a large-scale system of classification that is broadly applicable across a wide variety of taxa. DNA-based analysis of snake venoms can provide a system of classification independent of currently accepted taxonomic relationships by generating DNA barcodes specific to each venom sample. DNA purification from dried snake venoms has previously required large amounts of starting material, has resulted in low yields and inconsistent amplification, and was possible with front-fanged snakes only. Here, we present a modified DNA extraction protocol applied to venoms of both front- and rear-fanged snakes that requires significantly less starting material (1mg) and yields sufficient amounts of DNA for successful PCR amplification of regions commonly used for DNA barcoding.

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“…The venom apparatus was composed of a main gland, a primary duct, an accessory gland and secondary duct that joined the fang sheath (Fig 1). Generally a main venom gland, a primary duct (typically absent in elapids), an accessory gland, and a secondary duct leading to an enlarged maxillary fang, is typical venom apparatus of front-fanged snakes (Mackessy and Baxter 2006). There is no differences between male and female venom apparatus in terms of histological characteristics.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%