Toxicofera
Venomous snakes, such as the rattlesnake shown above, are the most well-known venomous squamates.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Sauropsida
Subclass:	Diapsida
Infraclass:	Lepidosauromorpha
Superorder:	Lepidosauria
Order:	Squamata
(unranked):	Toxicofera

Toxicofera (Greek for "those who bear toxins"), is a hypothetical clade which represents about 4600 species (nearly 60%) of extant squamates (scaled lizards.)^[1] It encompasses all venomous reptile species, as well as numerous related non-venomous species.

Contents 1 Cladistics 2 Research 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Cladistics

Toxicofera would combine the following groups from traditional classification:^[1]

• Suborder Serpentes (snakes)
• Suborder Iguania (iguanas, agamid lizards, chameleons, etc.)
• Infraorder Anguimorpha, consisting of:
  • Family Varanidae (monitor lizards)
  • Family Anguidae (alligator lizards, glass lizards, etc.)
  • Family Helodermatidae (Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard)

[edit] Research

Venom in squamates has historically been considered a rarity; while it has been known in Serpentes since ancient times, the actual percentage of snake species considered venomous was relatively small (around 25%). Following the classification of Helodermatidae in the 19th century, their venom was thought to have developed independently. The origin of venom in squamates was thus considered relatively recent in evolutionary terms and the result of convergent evolution among the seemingly-polyphyletic venomous snake families.

In 2003 however, a study was published that described venom in snake subfamilies previously thought to lack it.^[2] Further study claimed nearly all "non-venomous" snakes produce venom to a certain extent, suggesting a single, and thus far more ancient origin for venom in Serpentes than had been considered until then.^[3][4] As a practical matter, Dr. Bryan Fry cautioned:^[5]

Some non-venomous snakes have been previously thought to have only mild 'toxic saliva'. But these results suggest that they actually possess true venoms. We even isolated from a rat snake [Coelognathus radiatus (formerly known as Elaphe radiata)^[3]], a snake common in pet stores, a typical cobra-style neurotoxin, one that is as potent as comparative toxins found in close relatives of the cobra. These snakes typically have smaller quantities of venom and lack fangs, but they can still deliver their venom via their numerous sharp teeth. But not all of these snakes are dangerous. It does mean, however, that we need to re-evaluate the relative danger of non-venomous snakes.

This prompted still further research, which led to the discovery of venom (and venom genes) in species from groups which were not previously known to produce it, e.g. in Iguania (specifically Pogona barbata from the Family Agamidae) and Varanidae (from Varanus varius).^[1] It is thought that this was the result of descent from a common venom-producing squamate ancestor; the hypothesis was described simply as the "venom clade" when first proposed to the scientific community.^[1] The venom clade included Anguidae for phylogenetic reasons and adopted a previously suggested clade name: Toxicofera.^[6]

It was estimated that the common ancestral species that first developed venom in the venom clade lived on the order of 200 million years ago.^[1] The venoms are thought to have resulted after genes normally active in various parts of the body duplicated and the copies found new use in the salivary glands.^[2]

Among snake families traditionally classified as venomous, the capacity seems to have evolved to extremes more than once by parallel evolution; 'non-venomous' snake lineages have either lost the ability to produce venom (but may still have lingering venom pseudogenes) or actually do produce venom in small quantities (e.g. 'toxic saliva'), likely sufficient to assist in small prey capture, but not normally cause harm to humans if bitten.

The newly discovered diversity of squamate species producing venoms is a treasure trove for those seeking to develop new pharmaceutical drugs; many of these venoms lower blood pressure, for example.^[1] Previously known venomous squamates have already provided the basis for medications such as Ancrod, Captopril, Eptifibatide, Exenatide and Tirofiban.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Lizards' poisonous secret is revealed November 16, 2005
• The Surprising Origin of Venom Revealed November 17, 2005
• Which Came First, the Snake or the Venom? November 21, 2005
• Genealogy of scaly reptiles rewritten by new research November 22, 2005
• Venomdoc Homepage, Downloads
• The Venom Cure: The Power of Poison
• Nature Podcast November 17, 2005 (segment on the venom clade begins approximately 22 minutes into the program)