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Repeated evolution of venom: 100+ independent origins of complex chemical mixtures
Venoms are complex mixtures of enzymes and proteins of various sizes, amines, lipids, nucleosides, and carbohydrates. Venoms also contain various metal ions that are presumed to act as cofactors and include sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Spiders are one of the most successful venomous animals, with more than 48,000 described species. Most spider venoms […]