From Birth to Bite: The Evolution and Impact of Deadly Snake Venoms

Jenn Hoskins
30th July, 2024

From Birth to Bite: The Evolution and Impact of Deadly Snake Venoms

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study focused on Russell’s viper and spectacled cobra venoms across different regions of India
  • Venom composition varied significantly between different populations of these snakes
  • Commercial antivenoms were not effective against all snake populations, highlighting the need for region-specific formulations
Snake venoms exhibit significant variation both between and within species. This variability, influenced by ecological and environmental factors, poses challenges for effective snakebite treatment. A recent study by the Indian Institute of Science aims to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the evolutionary ecology of venoms from Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) and spectacled cobra (Naja naja), two of India's most dangerous snakes responsible for numerous fatalities and disabilities[1]. Snake venom is a complex mixture of bioactive chemicals, or toxins, that can vary extensively[2]. This variation has serious implications for the management of snakebites, which affect 1.8 million people globally each year[2]. Advances in 'omic' technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have enabled researchers to characterize venom compositions comprehensively, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms behind venom variation and its functional consequences[2][3]. The study by the Indian Institute of Science focused on understanding how ecological and environmental factors influence venom composition in Russell’s viper and spectacled cobra across different regions of India. This research is crucial as India is a hotspot for snakebites, with an estimated 58,000 fatalities annually[4]. The study employed a multidisciplinary approach, including venom proteomics, biochemical and pharmacological analyses, and in vivo research, to analyze venom samples from various geographical locations. The researchers found significant differences in the composition, pharmacological effects, and potencies of venoms from different populations of these snakes. For instance, the venom of the spectacled cobra varied dramatically across India's six distinct biogeographical zones, affecting the efficacy of commercially available antivenoms[5]. This finding is consistent with previous studies that highlighted how venom composition could undermine the effectiveness of snakebite treatments[5]. One of the key discoveries was that antivenoms produced against venom from one population might fail to neutralize venom from another. This is particularly problematic in India, where Russell’s viper and spectacled cobra have near country-wide distributions[5]. The study revealed that commercially available antivenoms were not effective against all populations, with a complete lack of neutralization observed for the desert Naja population[5]. This underscores the need for region-specific antivenom formulations to improve treatment outcomes. The study also delved into the evolutionary aspects of venom variation. By examining the evolutionary ecology of these venoms, the researchers aimed to understand how different environmental pressures shape venom composition. This approach aligns with the broader field of evolutionary ecology, which considers how traits like venom evolve in response to ecological interactions and environmental conditions[3]. In summary, this study by the Indian Institute of Science provides valuable insights into the ecological and environmental factors driving venom variation in two of India's most clinically important snakes. By highlighting the limitations of current antivenom treatments and the need for region-specific formulations, the research offers a pathway to improving snakebite management in India and potentially other regions with similar challenges.

MedicineAnimal ScienceEvolution

References

Main Study

1) From birth to bite: the evolutionary ecology of India's medically most important snake venoms

Published 29th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-01960-8

Related Studies

2) Causes and Consequences of Snake Venom Variation.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2020.05.006

3) Ecological venomics: How genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics can shed new light on the ecology and evolution of venom.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2015.09.015

4) Trends in snakebite deaths in India from 2000 to 2019 in a nationally representative mortality study.

https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.54076

5) Biogeographical venom variation in the Indian spectacled cobra (Naja naja) underscores the pressing need for pan-India efficacious snakebite therapy.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009150


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