The influence of ecological factors on cnidarian venoms

• Published in: Toxicon X 2021-07, Vol.9-10, p.100067, Article 100067
• Main Authors: O'Hara, E.P., Wilson, D., Seymour, J.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 2590-1710; 2590-1710
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100067

Venom research is often focussed on medical relevance, novel compounds and venom evolution, whilst studying the relationship between a venom and its environment – venom ecology - has been conducted to a lesser extent. Given the projected environmental changes envisioned to occur with global warming, it is pertinent now more than ever, to highlight this topic. Here we review literature examining the influence of ecological factors such as environmental temperature, salinity, ontogeny, geographic location and diet on cnidarian venoms. This review provides an exclusive focus on the cnidarian phylum and encompasses all available published, peer-reviewed literature to our knowledge regarding the ecological factors influencing venom. We find a startling lack of research into the effects of both environmental and biological factors on venoms, with very few to no studies available per category. Importantly, research does exist that suggest these ecological processes may influence other marine or terrestrial venoms, thus we recommend future research is needed to explore this concept in cnidarians. •Cnidarian toxins are significantly affected by environment and biology, yet literature on the subject is scarce.•Temperature, ontogeny, geographic location and diet can influence cnidarian venoms.•Salinity can influence other marine toxins, but literature is lacking for cnidarians.•More venom ecology research is needed in medically important species, if medical treatments are to advance.