Then, what is the exact role of the toxins in the
prey shift? Conticello et al. (2001) suggested that non expressed
toxins present in the genomes can serve as a reservoir in prevision
of the appearance of a new prey (‘‘lazarotoxins’’), but the new toxins
may also appear after the prey shift to increase the specificity of
the venom. Clearly, a model-based approach is required in order to
better characterize the genetic diversity, biology and ecology of the
two species.