A NEW DISCOVERY! Thanks to Björn von Reumont and Ronald Jenner, two biologist has discovered the First Venomous Crustacean. Crustaceans are a "subgroup of arthropods that includes shrimp and crabs", yet none have been known be be venomous. Specifically speaking, Spelenectes tulumensis is the crustacean that belongs to the remipedes group that has been discovered.
It is believed that they posses a two step process that aid in the killing of their prey. The first step is a toxin that is considered to be identical to the neurotoxin found in spiders that paralyzes the prey. The second and last step for the remipede is the venom itself, but the venom used is unique. The venom is primarily composed of peptidases, an enzyme that helps in digestion; a venom similar to this would be found in rattlesnake venom. BUT WAIT, there's more! To my understanding, the enzyme is not like amylase--the breaking down of starch in our saliva. NO! This enzyme is responsible for digestion of the prey itself, YES, making the prey into what the article refers to as a milkshake! Much easier than chewing I would say.
Where are places we as humans use peptidase other than in the stomach? I am interested to see the responses you all come up with.
The link to the article is is within the second sentence of the blog post.
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