1. Charles Norton Lisa Toelle
Mammalian Venoms
Charles Norton
Lisa Toelle

2. Mammalian Venoms
Of all the diversity of mammals, there are only a few species that exhibit toxicity.
Although skunks and pangolins emit noxious fumes, they are left out of this report due to there lack of toxicity. They are, however, mild irritants.

3. Solenodons Cuban Solenodon Haitian Solenodon Solenodon cubanus
Solenodon paradoxus

4. Solenodons Characteristics Resemble large shrews Nocturnal Burrowing
Insectivores

5. Solenodon Venom Mechanism of Action Ecological Benefits
Channel in second lower incisors to deliver venom
Venomous saliva is delivered from a hollow duct, which is connected to modified submaxillary salival glands
Ecological Benefits
Defense
Immobilization of prey

6. Sources for Solenodon Information
Folinsbee, K.E, Muller, J. and Reisz, R.R Canine grooves: morphology, function, and relevance to venom. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27(2):547–551.
Zoological Society of London. Retrieved
The City College of New York. Retrieved

7. Slow Lorises Sunda Loris Bengal Slow Loris Pygmy Slow Loris
Nycticebus coucang
Bengal Slow Loris
Nycticebus bengalensis
Pygmy Slow Loris
Nyciticebus pygmaeus

8. Slow Lorises Characteristics Only toxic primate
Slow-moving quadrapedal
Nocturnal
Arboreal

9. Slow Lorises Venom Composition Mechanism of Action Ecological Benefits
A protein very similar to cat dander
Mechanism of Action
Venom in saliva (from sebaceous glands near elbows)
Suck toxin into their mouths for delivery
Ecological Benefits
Protection from enemies

10. Sources for Lorises Information
Krane, S, Itagaki, Y, Nakanishi, K, Weldon, P.J “Venom” of the slow loris: sequence similarityof prosimian skin gland protein and Fel d 1 cat allergen. Naturwissenschaften 90:60–62.
Fry, B. Poisonous Primate?! Retrieved Venomdoc.
National Geographic. (2008). Retrieved
Nature. (2009). Animal Behavior: Slow Food. Retrieved Nature a.html

11. Shrews Northern Short Tailed Shrew Eurasian Water Shrew
Blarina brevicauda
Eurasian Water Shrew
Neomys fodiens

12. Shrews Characteristics Small body Long nose
Similar appearance to a mouse or rat

13. Shrews Venom Composition Soricidin Blarina - BLTX
kallikrein-like protease capable of cleaving kinins

14. Shrews Mechanisms of Action Neurotoxic
Paralytic properties in soricidin
Hypotension due to blarina
Protease activity

15. Shrew Toxin Mechanisms
Neurotoxicity
Paralysis
Hypotension
Venom
Impairment of
Target Organism

16. Shrews Ecological Benefits Helps immobilize prey Defense
Bite is more toxic if pregnant
Possible medicinal uses for human pain treatment

17. Sources for Shrew Information
Kita M, Nakamura Y, Okumura Y, Ohdachi SD, Oba Y, Yoshikuni M, Kido H, Uemura D. Blarina toxin, a mammalian lethal venom from the short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda: Isolation and characterization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA May 18;101(20):
Kita M, Nakamura Y, Okumura Y, Ohdachi SD, Oba Y, Yoshikuni M, Kido H, Uemura D. Purification and characterisation of blarinasin, a new tissue kallikrein-like protease from the short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda: comparative studies with blarina toxin. Biological Chemistry. February 2005, Vol. 386 Issue 2, p
Gonthier, Gilles. (2009). Retrieved
Biology Department, Davidson College. (1999). Retrieved

18. Platypus Characteristics: Ornithorhycnus anatinus Electro-sensitive
Semi-aquatic
Mostly nocturnal
Only venomous mammal in Australia

19. Platypus Venom Composition
Defensin-like proteins (three of which are unique to platypuses)
Made in glands in the legs
Evolved via gene duplication of immune system genes

20. Platypus Mechanisms of action:
Leads to edema around the area of the wound and increases the victims sensitivity to pain.
May also result in decreased blood pressure, respiratory distress, and slightly hemolytic
Neurological effects
Linked to decrease in pH leading to altered ion entry

21. Platypus Venom Venom Cardiovascular Neurological Local Edema Effects
and Pain
Venom
Impairment of
Target Organism

22. Platypus Spurs Delivered via spurs on hind limbs of males
Only mammals to squirt venom (not mixed with saliva)
Spur

23. Click on Hyperlink to View Video
Platypus Video
Click on Hyperlink to View Video

24. Platypus Ecological Benefits For dominance during mating season
only found in males
Defense
Possible uses for medicinal research in pain in humans

25. Platypus Sources
Geristen V. Platypus poison. Protein Spotlight: Issue 29, 2002.
Plater G, Milburn P, Martin R. Venom From the Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, Induces a Calcium-Dependent Current in Cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells. J Neurophysiol 85: , 2001.
Luna Media Pty Ltd. (2007). Evolution of Platypus Venom Revealed. Retrieved Cosmos Magazine.
Fry, B. Platypus Venom. Retreived Venomdoc.

26. Summary Few mammals posses toxins
The diverse mammalian clades possessing toxins suggest independent evolution.
Toxins found in these mammals appear to be primarily for defensive purposes