A STUDY ON THE VENOM YIELD OF VENOMOUS SNAKE SPECIES FROM ARGENTINA

A study on the venom yield of snakes from Argentina over a three year period was carried out on adult specimens of Bothrops alternatus (n = 74); Bothrops neuwiedii (n = 127); Bothrops ammodytoides (n = 30); Bot hrops moojeni (n = 14); Bothrops jararaca B. jararacussu (n = 6); Crot alus durissus terrificus (n = 120) and Micrurus spp. (n = 6) as well a s with 12 specimens of newborn C. d. terrificus kept in captivity. Whi le for each species there was a positive correlation between venom yie ld and number of snakes milked, the correlation with the snake's body weights after individual milkings was even better, suggesting that the size of the snakes is more important in determining the venom yield t han the number of snakes milked or the specimen's sex. Individual milk ings indicated that, in addition to the snake size, when the amount of venom is normalized per 100 g body weight there is a species specific difference in venom yield. It follows the order B. jararacussu > B. m oojeni congruent to B. jararaca congruent to B. alternatus > B. neuwie dii > Micrurus spp congruent to B. ammodytoides > C. d. terrificus. Al though the venom yield per 100 g body weight of newborn C. d. terrific us specimens is 2-fold higher than that of adults, no correlation was observed between venom yield and body weight. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.