The venomous cocktail of the vampire snail Colubraria reticulata (Mollusca, Gastropoda).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hematophagy arose independently multiple times during metazoan evolution, with several lineages of vampire animals particularly diversified in invertebrates. However, the biochemistry of hematophagy has been studied in a few species of direct medical interest and is still underdeveloped in most invertebrates, as in general is the study of venom toxins. In cone snails, leeches, arthropods and snakes, the strong target specificity of venom toxins uniquely aligns them to industrial and academic pursuits (pharmacological applications, pest control etc.) and provides a biochemical tool for studying biological activities including cell signalling and immunological response. Neogastropod snails (cones, oyster drills etc.) are carnivorous and include active predators, scavengers

SUBMITTER: Modica MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4460706 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature