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Can I read Snakes on a Plain: Biotic and Abiotic Factors Determine Venom Compositional Variation in a Wide-ranging Generalist Rattlesnake on EtoBox?
Snakes on a Plain: Biotic and Abiotic Factors Determine Venom Compositional Variation in a Wide-ranging Generalist Rattlesnake by Cara F. Smith; Zachary L. Nikolakis; Kathleen Ivey; Blair W. Perry; Drew R. Schield; Neil R. Balchan; Joshua Parker; Kirk C. Hansen; Anthony J. Saviola; Todd A. Castoe; Stephen P. Mackessy is a Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology article available to read on EtoBox.
What is Snakes on a Plain: Biotic and Abiotic Factors Determine Venom Compositional Variation in a Wide-ranging Generalist Rattlesnake about?
## Background Snake venoms are trophic adaptations that represent an ideal model to examine the evolutionary factors that shape polymorphic traits under strong natural selection. Venom compositional variation is substantial within and among venomous snake species. However, the forces shaping this phenotypic complexity, as well as the potential integrated roles of biotic and abiotic factors, have received little attention. Here, we investigate geographic variation in venom composition in a wide-ranging rattlesnake (__Crotalus viridis viridis__) and contextualize this variation by investigating dietary, phylogenetic, and environmental variables that covary with venom. ## Results Using shotgun proteomics, venom biochemical profiling, and lethality assays, we identify 2 distinct divergent phenotypes that characterize major axes of venom variation in this species: a myotoxin-rich phenotype and a snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP)-rich phenotype. We find that dietary availability and temperature-related abiotic factors are correlated with geographic trends in venom composition. ## Conclusions Our findings highlight the potential for snake venoms to vary extensively within species, for th
Who reads Snakes on a Plain: Biotic and Abiotic Factors Determine Venom Compositional Variation in a Wide-ranging Generalist Rattlesnake?
It is typically read by researchers, students, and practitioners in Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology.
- Author
- Cara F. Smith; Zachary L. Nikolakis; Kathleen Ivey; Blair W. Perry; Drew R. Schield; Neil R. Balchan; Joshua Parker; Kirk C. Hansen; Anthony J. Saviola; Todd A. Castoe; Stephen P. Mackessy
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Published
- 2023
- Language
- EN
- Field
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)