Topic
Austrelaps
About: Austrelaps is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 28 publications have been published within this topic receiving 636 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: Female reproductive cycles were studied in seven species of Australian elapid snakes, and the results compared with published information on snake faunas of other continents.
Abstract: Female reproductive cycles were studied in seven species of Australian elapid snakes, and the results compared with published information on snake faunas of other continents. Of the species studied, five are live-bearing (Austrelaps superbus, Hemiaspis signata, Notechis scutatus, Pseudechis porphyriacus and Unechis gouldii) and two egg-laying (Pseudonaja nuchalis and P. textilis). The live-bearing species usually produce one clutch per year, a higher reproductive frequency than has been found in most previously studied venomous snakes. All live-bearing species show similar seasonal timing of ovulation and parturition. Gestation occupies about 14 weeks. The egg-laying species ovulate at about the same time as sympatric live-bearers, but oviposit shortly thereafter and may produce a second clutch of eggs in late summer. P. porphyriacus shows true 'viviparity', including placental transfer of nutrients (ash content of oocytes increases during gestation, energy content decreases only slightly). The live (wet) weight of the oocytes increases up to fourfold during gestation in live-bearing species, but dry weights change very little. Extra-uterine transfer of oocytes is common. Infertility is rare in A. superbus and P. porphyriacus, but frequent in N. scutatus. Clutch size is correlated with maternal body size in all species. The ratio of clutch weight to body weight decreased slightly with increasing maternal size in N. scutatus and P. porphyriacus. Published data on reptilian 'reproductive effort' are reviewed.
171 citations
TL;DR: These venom components affecting skeletal muscle may play an important role in snakebite and the minimum doses necessary to produce myoglobinuria in mice are between 0·5 and 5·0 mg/kg.
56 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is responsible for both egg yolk reactivity and hemolytic activity in the Australian elapid snakes.
34 citations
TL;DR: The first report of molecular isoforms of CVF-like proteins in the venom of an Australian elapid snake is reported, and AVF proteins may serve as potential candidates for therapeutic complement depletion without side effects.
31 citations
TL;DR: The neuromuscular pharmacology of venom from these snakes and the in vitro efficacy of tiger snake antivenom are compared.
Abstract: SUMMARY 1. Tiger snake antivenom, raised against Notechis scutatus venom, is indicated not only for the treatment of envenomation by this snake, but also that of the copperhead ( Austrelaps superbus ) and Stephen’s banded snake ( Hoplocephalus stephensi ). The present study compared the neuromuscular pharmacology of venom from these snakes and the in vitro efficacy of tiger snake antivenom. 2. In chick biventer cervicis muscle and mouse phrenic nerve diaphragm preparations, all venoms (3‐10 � g/mL) produced inhibition of indirect twitches. In the biventer muscle, venoms (10 � g/mL) inhibited responses to acetylcholine (1 mmol/L) and carbachol (20 � mol/L), but not KCl (40 mmol/L). The prior (10 min) administration of 1 unit/mL antivenom markedly attenuated the neurotoxic effects of A. superbus and N. scutatus venoms (10 � g/mL), but was less effective against H. stephensi venom (10 � g/mL); 5 units/mL antivenom attenuated the neurotoxic activity of all venoms. 3. Administration of 5 units/mL antivenom at t 90 partially reversed, over a period of 3 h, the inhibition of twitches produced by N. scutatus (10 � g/mL; 41% recovery), A. superbus (10 � g/mL; 25% recovery) and H. stephensi (10 � g/mL; 50% recovery) venoms. All venoms (10‐100 � g/mL) also displayed signs of in vitro myotoxicity. 4. The results of the present study indicate that all three venoms contain neurotoxic activity that is effectively attenuated by tiger snake antivenom.
27 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |