Selected Grantee Publications

A Symphony of Destruction: Dynamic Differential Fibrinogenolytic Toxicity by Rattlesnake (Crotalus and Sistrurus) Venoms

Seneci et al., Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C. 2021.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33766656/

This study adopts rattlesnakes as a model group to investigate the evolutionary history of venom coagulotoxicity in the context of phylogenetics, natural history, and biology. Venom-induced clotting of human plasma and fibrinogen was determined and mapped onto the rattlesnake phylogenetic tree to reconstruct the evolution of coagulotoxicity across the group. Results indicate that venom phenotype is often independent of phylogenetic relationships in rattlesnakes, suggesting the importance of diet and/or other environmental variables. This study is the most comprehensive effort to date to characterize the evolutionary and biological aspects of coagulotoxins in rattlesnake venom. Further research at finer taxonomic levels is recommended. Supported by ORIP (P40OD010960).