Comparative transcriptomics of the venoms of continental (Varioconus) and insular (Africonus) radiations of West African cones

The transcriptomes of the venom glands of 13 closely related species of vermivorous cones endemic to West Africa from genera Africonus (ten species) and Varioconus (three) were sequenced and venom repertoires compared within a phylogenetic framework. The possibility of comparing venom catalogues of closely related species of cones within a phylogenetic framework paves the way to understand how the venom repertoires were assembled and evolve, as well as to discern the relative role of diet as selective force. The species Kalloconus trochulus was included as outgroup.All the specimens were adults and were dissected in a resting stage to remove the venom duct, which was preserved in RNALater (Invitrogen, Life technologies).