REGIONAL VARIATION IN THE PRESENCE OF CANEBRAKE TOXIN IN CROTALUS-HORRIDUS VENOM

Reverse-phase HPLC was used to isolate the PLA complex neurotoxin ''ca nebrake toxin'' from the venom of Crotalus horridus from northern Flor ida. Individual venoms from 107 specimens of C. horridus throughout it s range were investigated for the presence of the toxin. The distribut ion of canebrake toxin was limited to two separate regions, including a region of Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, and a separate region fr om southeastern South Carolina through eastern Georgia to northern Flo rida. Four distinct venom types were found and designated Venoms A (ne urotoxic), B (hemorrhagic), A + B (neurotoxic and hemorrhagic) and C ( lacking in both neurotoxic and hemorrhagic activities).