Lizards Flashcards
What are the two families that have venomous lizards?
Heloderma and Varanus
What is the distribution of heloderma lizards?
Southern California into Mexico
What is the distribution of Varanus lizards?
Africa (not sahara desert), Southern Asia and Australia
What are examples of heloderma lizards?
gila monster, komodo dragon, nile monitor, beaded lizard
What is the anatomy of the venom apparatus?
grooved teeth for envenomation (capillary action) and two venom glands
What are the three important toxins talked about in class in heloderma venom?
helokinestatins, helofensins and exendins
What is the the of helokinestatins?
bradykinin-receptor inhibitory peptides
What is the role of helofensins in venom?
blockage of nerve impulses
What are the role of exendins in heloderma venoms?
promotes insulin and suppresses glucagon
What is different in the venom in Varanus species as opposed to heladerma species?
Varanus variable and not conserved
