Mammals and Birds Flashcards
What are the venomous mammals?
solenodons, shrews, platypus, vampire bats and the slow loris
What is the venom apparatus of the shrews and solenodons?
teeth
What are the species of venomous solenodons?
S. cubanus and S. paradoxus
What is the toxin in solenodon venom and what is its MOA?
Kallikrein 1 (KLK1) serine protease, hypotensive effects
What are the symptoms of solenodon envenomation?
drop in blood press, respiratory distress, paralysis near bite, swelling, severe pain
What is the shrew talked about in class and what is the purpose of their venom?
Blarina brevicauda-immobilized prey allowing them to store live food
What are the toxins present in shrew venom?
blarina toxin, soricidin, kallikrein serine protease, phospholipase A2, antileukoproteinase, hyaluronidase PH-20, tissue factor pathway inhibitor protein
What is the purpose of blarina toxin?
proteolytic and hypitensice activity
What is the purpose of phospholipase A2 toxin?
cardio-, myo-, neurotoxicity, both pro and anticoagulant effects
What are the symptoms of a shrew bite?
Pain and swelling, redness and itching, numbness or tingling, mild fever or fatigue
What is the platypus’ venom apparatus?
Claw on back of foot, only on males
What are the effects of platypus envenomation?
excruciating pain that can last for weeks, nausea, swelling, disrupts haemostasis and interferes with cell membranes. Lethal in small animals
What are the toxins in the platypus venom?
c-type natriuretic peptides, defensin like peptides, nerve growth factor, protease activity
What is the venom apparatus of the slow loris?
glandular secretions from armpit and saliva
What are the hypotheses to why slow loris’ are venomous?
capture prey, deter predators, deter parasites and defend against other lorises
What is the venom apparatus of the vampire bat?
fangs
What are the venomous species of vampire bats?
common vampire bat, hairy legged vampire bat, white winged vampire bat
What is the purpose of the vampire bats venom?
inhibit coagulation, dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure
What are the two toxins present in birds?
Batrachotoxin and cantharidin
What are the birds that have batrachotoxin and where do they sequester it?
Pitohui, blue capped ifrit and little shrikethrush, sequester it in skin and feathers
What does batrachotoxin come from?
beetles of Choresine genus
What is the MOA of batrachotoxin?
holds Na+ channels open
What is the purpose of the toxin in the bird and what are the effects on humans?
Deter predators, taste wise
numbness and tingling from handling
What bird is Cantharidin found in?
Spur winged goose
