“…Some of these components disrupt vital physiological processes of preys (Ciscotto et al, 2011; Sanz et al, 2008; Tucker and Miletich, 2010) or act as defence against predators (Ciscotto et al, 2011; Kardong, 1982; Tucker and Miletich, 2010). Venom composition reflects not only evolutionary differentiation of phylogenetic lineages (Escoubas et al, 2008; Gutiérrez, 2011), but also distinct developmental stages, dietary behaviour and habitat variation (Ciscotto et al, 2011; Da Rocha and Furtado, 2005; Madrigal et al, 2012). As an example, adults L. stenophrys present higher abundance of snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and Gal-lectin than juvenile specimens, whereas serine proteinases and vasoactive peptides are lower in adult specimens than in juvenile ones (Madrigal et al, 2012).…”