A team of researchers from the University of Nevada have taken a step forward to understand how some lizards are able to withstand a bite from a black widow spider with little or no ill effects. In their article published in the journal Royal Society Open Sciencethe group describes how they injected black widow spider venom into several species of lizards and then closely examined their reaction.
Previous research has shown that the black widow spider is one of the most venomous spiders in North America. Fortunately, black widow spiders are not hostile and therefore do not attack humans and they also produce very little venom. Because of this, very few people have died from a bite.
Previous research and anecdotal evidence has also shown that some lizards not only are unbothered by black widow spiders, but actively seek out spiders as a food source. In this new effort, researchers sought to learn more about these lizards to find out if their ability to resist black widow spider bites might offer clues to better treat humans who have been bitten.
The researchers’ work began with a field trip and the collection of several specimens of three types of lizards: alligator, western fence and side-blotched. The first two are known to be immune to black widow spider bites while the third is very sensitive – they die if bitten.
The researchers then injected several of each of the three types of lizards with black widow spider venom, then dropped them onto a small racetrack and encouraged them to run. The alligator and western fence were able to do this, while the side spots were not.
The researchers then dissected several of each of the lizards after injecting them with the venom. They noted that previous research has shown that creatures affected by black widow spider bites suffer tissue and muscle damage. They found such damage on both the stained side and the western fence, but none on the alligator. Upon closer inspection, the researchers discovered that there was no sign that the alligator lizards had been injected with the venom.
The researchers note that the lack of reaction to venom by alligator lizards suggests that they have a very powerful protective mechanism. They note that some other species of animals have evolved a known mechanism to protect themselves against venom – king snakes, for example, are immune to rattlesnake venom.
They have something in their blood that binds to the venom, neutralizing it. The researchers suggest it’s likely that alligator lizards have something similar. However, they won’t know what it is until the lizard’s genome has been sequenced.
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Vicki L. Thill et al, Preying dangerously: resistance to black widow spider venom in sympatric lizards, Royal Society Open Science (2022). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221012
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Quote: One step closer to understanding why some lizards are immune to black widow spider venom (2022, October 24) Retrieved October 24, 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-10-closer-lizards- immune-black-widow.html
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