A research team supported by Fapesp and led by scientists at the Butantan Institute has conducted the most comprehensive genetic sequencing of the jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis), with an emphasis on the genes associated with its venom. This study is noteworthy as it establishes a reference point for understanding the evolution of jararacas and their venom toxins, as the majority of the jararaca-ilhoa’s genes are shared with 48 other species within the same genus. The findings were published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution towards the end of last year.

The jararaca-ilhoa was identified as a distinct species in 1921, separate from the mainland jararaca (Bothrops jararaca), whose genome was sequenced in 2021. Isolated on Queimada Grande Island off the coast of São Paulo approximately 100,000 years ago, this population evolved to the point of becoming a new species, exhibiting notable morphological differences such as yellow skin and unique behavioral characteristics. The genetic insights will aid in further evolutionary studies of this species and its relatives.

By contributing to the larger picture of evolutionary biology, the study not only enhances scientific understanding of these reptiles but also underscores the ecological and evolutionary significance of isolated populations. In a time when biodiversity is increasingly threatened, research like this is vital for conservation efforts and can help in the understanding of how isolated species adapt to their environments, particularly in terms of venom evolution which has implications for medicine and toxinology.