Book contents
- The Origin and Early Evolutionary History of Snakes
- The Systematics Association Special Volume Series
- The Origin and Early Evolutionary History of Snakes
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- Part I The Squamate and Snake Fossil Record
- Part II Palaeontology and the Marine-Origin Hypothesis
- Part III Genomic Perspectives
- 10 Using Comparative Genomics to Resolve the Origin and Early Evolution of Snakes
- 11 The Evolution of Squamate Chitinase Genes (CHIAs) Supports an Insectivory–Carnivory Transition during the Early History of Snakes
- 12 Origin and Early Diversification of the Enigmatic Squamate Venom Cocktail
- Part IV Neurobiological Perspectives
- Part V Anatomical and Functional Morphological Perspectives
- Index
- Series page
- References
12 - Origin and Early Diversification of the Enigmatic Squamate Venom Cocktail
from Part III - Genomic Perspectives
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 July 2022
- The Origin and Early Evolutionary History of Snakes
- The Systematics Association Special Volume Series
- The Origin and Early Evolutionary History of Snakes
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- Part I The Squamate and Snake Fossil Record
- Part II Palaeontology and the Marine-Origin Hypothesis
- Part III Genomic Perspectives
- 10 Using Comparative Genomics to Resolve the Origin and Early Evolution of Snakes
- 11 The Evolution of Squamate Chitinase Genes (CHIAs) Supports an Insectivory–Carnivory Transition during the Early History of Snakes
- 12 Origin and Early Diversification of the Enigmatic Squamate Venom Cocktail
- Part IV Neurobiological Perspectives
- Part V Anatomical and Functional Morphological Perspectives
- Index
- Series page
- References
Summary
Venom, a specialized form of poison, is actively injected by the venomous organism into its target animal to facilitate several quotidian functions. Over a hundred convergent origins of this remarkable functional trait, along with intricate mechanisms of venom delivery, have been documented across animals. Pinpointing the emergence of venom in squamate reptiles has important implications for understanding the evolutionary history of snakes, but it has been challenging. Several competing hypotheses have been put forth to explain the evolutionary origin of squamate venom, including assertions of single, dual and multiple origins. In this chapter, in addition to a summary of this ongoing dialogue, we provide an overview of ecology, composition, delivery mechanisms, and evolutionary models that explain the possible origin and diversification of venom in squamate reptiles.
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- Information
- The Origin and Early Evolutionary History of Snakes , pp. 248 - 268Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022
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