A recent study proposes a broader definition of venom that now includes common garden snails and slugs. Traditionally associated with snakes and spiders, venom could encompass a vast number of species due to the implication that any secretion affecting another organism's physiology is considered venom. This new perspective, led by Dr. Ronald Jenner from the Natural History Museum, posits that these substances manipulate other organisms, suggesting that behaviors previously seen as benign, such as the courtship rituals of slugs and snails, may actually be venomous interactions, leading to potential reclassification of tens of thousands of species in ecological research.
Many organisms traditionally viewed as harmless, such as common garden snails and slugs, could now be classified as venomous, reshaping our understanding of venom's definition.
This new definition could lead to the classification of tens of thousands of species as venomous, significantly expanding our knowledge in evolutionary biology and ecology.
The research led by Dr. Ronald Jenner suggests that venom should be defined as any secretion that alters another living organism's physiology, broadening its scope.
Snails and slugs may inject toxins to manipulate their partners during courtship, illustrating that venomous interactions exist beyond traditional predator-prey relationships.
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