Short communicationGeneral characterization of the venoms from two species of rattlesnakes and an intergrade population (C. lepidus x aquilus) from Aguascalientes and Zacatecas, Mexico

- A Crotoxin-like neurotoxin was identified in Crotalus lepidus klauberi venom from Aguascalientes, Mexico.
- Venoms containing Crotoxin-like neurotoxin have a significantly lower LD50 than the other studied venoms.
- Venom from intergrade Crotalus lepidus x aquilus showed significant differences, particularly regarding lethality.

The venoms from two species of rock rattlesnakes and an intergrade population were studied. Differences were noted in SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC profiles and only the venom from the intergrade population showed low procoagulant activity. Also, a Crotoxin-like neurotoxic PLA2 was identified in the venom of C. l. klauberi, the most toxic of the analyzed venoms. This is the first report of such a toxin in C. l. klauberi from Aguascalientes, Mexico.