A Russian Doll of Resistance: Nested Gains and Losses of Venom Immunity in Varanid Lizards.

ABSTRACT: The interplay between predator and prey has catalyzed the evolution of venom systems, with predators honing their venoms in response to the evolving resistance of prey. A previous study showed that the African varanid species Varanus exanthematicus has heightened resistance to snake venoms compared to the Australian species V. giganteus, V. komodoensis, and V. mertensi, likely due to increased predation by sympatric venomous snakes on V. exanthematicus. To understand venom resistance among varanid lizards, we analyzed the receptor site targeted by venoms in 27 varanid lizards, including 25 Australian varanids. The results indicate an active evolutionary arms race between Australian varanid lizards and sympatric neurotoxic elapid snakes. Large species prey

SUBMITTER: Chandrasekara U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10932397 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature