Hi Wolf
There has recently been an article on the evolution of snake venom.
From genome to venome: Molecular origin and evolution of the snake venom proteome inferred from phylogenetic analysis of
toxin sequences and related body proteins
It has been wtitten about in the New York times:
Open Wide: Decoding the Secrets of Venom - The New York Times
A researcher has looked at the active genes in the venome glands of snakes, and have found evidence for the evolutionary history of the genes.
It seems that most adaptions came from a process called "gene recruitment" which works by a gene being accidently duplicated, and the duplicated copy is activated in the venom glands.
If the protein the gene produces is toxic to the prey, then the gene is selected for.
/Soren
This message has been edited by kongstad, 03-Aug-2005 04:42 PM
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