Toxicofera

Clade of venomous reptiles

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Mexican rattlesnake head

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Mexican ridged-nosed rattlesnake

Python natalensis

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Platecarpus tympaniticus

Toxicofera is a clade of squamate reptiles that includes all venomous reptile species. This group encompasses a wide range of species, including snakes, lizards, and amphisbaenians. The clade was proposed based on molecular data that suggested a common ancestry for all venomous squamates.

Etymology

The name "Toxicofera" is derived from the Greek words "toxico" meaning "poison" and "fera" meaning "bearing" or "carrying". This name reflects the presence of venom in the species within this clade.

Classification

Toxicofera is divided into three main groups:

• Serpentes (snakes)
• Iguania (iguanas and related lizards)
• Anguimorpha (monitor lizards and their relatives)

Venom

The venom of Toxicofera species is used primarily for predation and defense. It is a complex mixture of proteins and enzymes that can immobilize or kill prey. The evolution of venom in this clade is thought to have occurred once, with subsequent diversification leading to the wide variety of venom types seen today.

Evolution

The evolutionary history of Toxicofera suggests that venomous capabilities evolved early in the squamate lineage. Fossil evidence and molecular studies indicate that the common ancestor of Toxicofera lived approximately 200 million years ago.

Images

• Varanus exanthematicus

• Iguana delicatissima

Related pages

• Squamata
• Venom
• Reptile

• Mexican ridged-nosed rattlesnake

• 

  Python natalensis

• Platecarpus tympaniticus

• Varanus exanthematicus

• Iguana delicatissima