California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) blood sera inhibits crotalid venom proteolytic activity

Authors
Biardi, JE Coss, RG Smith, DG
Citation
Je. Biardi et al., California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) blood sera inhibits crotalid venom proteolytic activity, TOXICON, 38(5), 2000, pp. 713-721
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Journal title
TOXICON
ISSN journal
00410101 → ACNP
Volume
38
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
713 - 721
Database
ISI
SICI code
0041-0101(200005)38:5<713:CGS(BB>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
Some California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) show limited necro sis following envenomation by northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus virid is oreganus). This study demonstrates that S. beecheyi blood sera inhibits venom proteases. Sera from rattlesnake-abundant habitats inhibited C. v. or eganus venom more effectively than venom from two allopatric rattlesnake sp ecies, 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 densit y. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.