California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) blood sera inhibits crotalid venom proteolytic activity.
Some California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) show limited necrosis following envenomation by northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis oreganus). This study demonstrates that S. beecheyi blood sera inhibits venom proteases. Sera from rattlesnake-abundant habitats inhibited C. v. oreganus venom more effectively than venom from two allopatric rattlesnake species, C. v. viridis and C. atrox, suggesting evolutionary specialization. The pattern of inhibition among squirrel populations corresponds best with history of rattlesnake predation, in contrast to current rattlesnake density.
Biardi
J E
JE
Department of Psychology and Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Coss
R G
RG
Smith
D G
DG
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000502:physiology*; D002140:California; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000201:enzymology*; D003470:Culture Media; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012589:Sciuridae / Q000097:blood*; D013045:Species Specificity; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000502:physiology*
D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D003470:Culture Media; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D018093:Gelatinases