Sentences with phrase «venom evolution»
"Venom evolution" refers to the process by which venomous organisms, such as snakes or spiders, develop and change their venom over time. It refers to the adaptation and improvement of venom to better suit their defense or hunting needs. Full definition
The proposed «two - speed» mode of venom evolution highlights the fascinating evolutionary dynamics of this complex biochemical cocktail, by showing for the first time the significant roles played by different forces of natural selection in shaping animal venoms.
sciencedaily.com
Dr Fry, of the UQ School of Biological Sciences» Venom Evolution Laboratory said brown snakes were highly venomous and were found in mainland Australia, with the eastern brown snakes also found in New Guinea.
The results of a large - scale survey of venom variation in the two snake species, published January 8, 2015 in the journal Genetics, challenge common assumptions in venom evolution research, provide crucial information for rattlesnake conservation, and will help coral snake antivenom development.
The work by Werren and his team is a «very intriguing paper that reinforces that the more we learn about venom evolution, the more we realise how little we know.
Dr Ronald Jenner, venom evolution expert at the Museum, says, «Venom pervades the natural and human world everywhere on Earth and not always in the way you might expect.
The findings enable the postulation of a new theory of venom evolution.
In contrast to positive selection, the role of purifying selection (also known as negative selection, which is the selective removal of deleterious genetic changes from a population) has rarely been considered in venom evolution.
«Clearly, venom evolution in these two snake species has been shaped by different forces.
Consequently, it was concluded that venom evolution is mostly driven by positive selection.
«It had not particularly occurred to me as a likely mechanism of venom evolution,» admitted Wolfgang Wüster, a lecturer at Bangor University.
Bryan Fry, head of the Venom Evolution Laboratory at the University of Queensland, generally agreed with that view in comments emailed to Quanta.
«So we have a new addition to the theory of venom evolution; that when the target itself is under extreme negative selection pressure against change, then the toxins themselves are under similar such pressure.
«Understanding the dynamics of venom evolution will help us refine not only our searches for new drugs and therapies, but also our understanding of how evolution generates chemical novelties,» Binford says.
«Their fangs evolved to be like hole - punchers,» says Bryan Fry, head of the venom evolution lab at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.