Beyond Venom and Constriction: Bite Performance and Trophic Ecology in the Genus Drymarchon

Posted by
  Beyond Venom and Constriction: Bite Performance and Trophic Ecology in the Genus Drymarchon Abstract Snakes exhibit extreme cranial kinesis that facilitates ingestion of prey with large cross-sectional area, but this ability is widely predicted to reduce bite performance due to decreased structural rigidity. Consequently, most large-bodied snakes rely on envenomation or constriction to subdue prey prior to ingestion. Species within the genus Drymarchon represent a notable exception: these large, non-venomous, non-constricting snakes routinely consume a wide range of prey, including large and potentially dangerous vertebrates, using only simple seizing and pinioning behaviors. Here, we quantify bite performance in three species of Drymarchon ( D. corais, D. couperi, and D. melanurus ), examine morphological predictors of biting performance, compare biting pressure to constriction pressure in similarly sized snakes, and synthesize dietary records across the genus. Our results sh...

Proteomic analysis of snake venom obtained from Naja melanoleuca in Ghana

Posted by

 


Proteomic analysis of snake venom obtained from Naja melanoleuca in Ghana

Abstract

The venom of most poisonous snakes consists of active proteins that are responsible for most of the lethal effects of snakebite envenomation. To guide the development of targeted antivenom, a deeper understanding of venom compositions is necessary. This study aimed to characterize and analyse the protein composition and evaluate the lethality of Naja melanoleuca venom obtained from Ghana. Crude venom was collected, lyophilized and the protein concentration quantified using the Bradford Assay. The protein profile and molecular weight distribution of the venom were evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), while reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-MS) was employed to separate protein fractions and to determine intact protein masses. The venom toxicity was assessed by determining the median lethal dose (LD50) in mice using the probit regression method. The protein concentration of the venom was 2.917 mg/ml, while the SDS-PAGE analysis showed protein bands with estimated molecular weights ranging from 10.98 kDa to 122.53 kDa. The relative abundance of the protein bands from LC-MS suggested that low molecular weight proteins dominated in the venom. The average LD50 of the venom was 1.17 mg/kg within the range of 0.50–1.84 mg/kg, which confirmed its high toxicity. This study provided one of the first proteomic datasets describing Ghanaian Naja melanoleuca venom with baseline information on its protein composition and toxicity. These findings laid the foundation for future proteomic, pharmacological and toxicological investigations in developing antivenoms for improved snakebite management locally.
Firempong, C. K., Etsey, M., Akanfah, C. A., Nsiah, F., Nyamekye, E. N. P., Dogbe, R. E., Ofosu, V., Mensah, Y. Y., Addae, R. K., & Domfeh, S. A. (2026). Proteomic analysis of snake venom obtained from Naja melanoleuca in Ghana. Journal of Chromatography B, 125240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2026.125240