Clawing through evolution: toxin diversification and convergence in the ancient lineage Chilopoda (centipedes).

ABSTRACT: Despite the staggering diversity of venomous animals, there seems to be remarkable convergence in regard to the types of proteins used as toxin scaffolds. However, our understanding of this fascinating area of evolution has been hampered by the narrow taxonomical range studied, with entire groups of venomous animals remaining almost completely unstudied. One such group is centipedes, class Chilopoda, which emerged about 440 Ma and may represent the oldest terrestrial venomous lineage next to scorpions. Here, we provide the first comprehensive insight into the chilopod "venome" and its evolution, which has revealed novel and convergent toxin recruitments as well as entirely new toxin families among both high- and low molecular weight venom components. The ancient evolutionary history of cen

SUBMITTER: Undheim EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4104317 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature