Snakes on a plain: biotic and abiotic factors determine venom compositional variation in a wide-ranging generalist rattlesnake.

ABSTRACT:

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

SUBMITTER: Smith CF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10246093 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature