Journal article
Correlation between ontogenetic dietary shifts and venom variation in Australian brown snakes (Pseudonaja)
V Cipriani, J Debono, J Goldenberg, TNW Jackson, K Arbuckle, J Dobson, I Koludarov, B Li, C Hay, N Dunstan, L Allen, I Hendrikx, HF Kwok, BG Fry
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology and Pharmacology | ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC | Published : 2017
Abstract
Venom is a key evolutionary trait, as evidenced by its widespread convergent evolution across the animal kingdom. In an escalating prey-predator arms race, venoms evolve rapidly to guarantee predatory or defensive success. Variation in venom composition is ubiquitous among snakes. Here, we tested variation in venom activity on substrates relevant to blood coagulation among Pseudonaja (brown snake) species, Australian elapids responsible for the majority of medically important human envenomations in Australia. A functional approach was employed to elucidate interspecific variation in venom activity in all nine currently recognised species of Pseudonaja. Fluorometric enzymatic activity assays ..
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Awarded by University of Macau Multi-Year Grant
Funding Acknowledgements
VC was funded by an European Commission Scholarship. JD was funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award PhD Scholarship. BGF was funded by a University of Queensland Major Equipment and Infrastructure grant. B.L. is in receipt of PhD studentship from the Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau and H.F.K. was supported by a University of Macau Multi-Year Grant (MYRG2015-00025-FHS).