Cabinet of Curiosities: Venom Systems and Their Ecological Function in Mammals, with a Focus on Primates

Toxins

Johanna E. Rode-Margono²  K. Anne-Isola Nekaris¹ 

[1] Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; E-Mail

关键词: Nycticebus;    primates;    Chiroptera;    Eulipotyphla;    Monotremata;    venom delivery system;    evolution;   

DOI  :  10.3390/toxins7072639

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Venom delivery systems (VDS) are common in the animal kingdom, but rare amongst mammals. New definitions of venom allow us to reconsider its diversity amongst mammals by reviewing the VDS of Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, Monotremata, and Primates. All orders use modified anterior dentition as the venom delivery apparatus, except Monotremata, which possesses a crural system. The venom gland in most taxa is a modified submaxillary salivary gland. In Primates, the saliva is activated when combined with brachial gland exudate. In Monotremata, the crural spur contains the venom duct. Venom functions include feeding, intraspecific competition, anti-predator defense and parasite defense. Including mammals in discussion of venom evolution could prove vital in our understanding protein functioning in mammals and provide a new avenue for biomedical and therapeutic applications and drug discovery.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.