Harmless Digestive Enzyme Evolved Twice Into Dangerous Toxin In Two Unrelated Species

Monday, November 2, 2009 ·


On Science Daily I discovered an interesting story about the adaptation of a once harmless enzyme into a toxic and deathly defense for a lizard. The evolution of toxicity in species is a fascinating subject, and it's been seen before.


"The venom is essentially an over-activation of the original digestive enzyme, amplifying its effects," she says. "What had been a mild anticoagulant in the salivary glands of both species has become a much more extreme compound that causes paralysis and death in prey that is bitten." Read More about these toxic creatures
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3 comments:

Chris Stonecipher said...
November 7, 2009 7:36 PM  

Fascinating article and very educational.

Chris Stonecipher said...
November 7, 2009 7:59 PM  

Shared this on Digg!

Glynis said...
November 8, 2009 6:30 AM  

Fascinating as usual, your articles are unique.

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