BULLANT VENOM’S SECRET

AUSTRALIAN bullants have evolved a venom molecule tuned to target one of their predators – the echidna – that also could have implications for people with chronic pain, University of Queensland researchers say.

Sam Robinson and David Eagles, from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, have detected a bullant venom component they believe evolved to stop echidnas attacking their nests.

“Only the echidna is known to attack bullant nests and target their young – we think that making the echidna sensitive to pain . . . may dissuade it from returning to the nests,” Dr Robinson said.

“The ant’s DNA is producing a molecule that mimics a hormone of its natural enemy and is using it as a weapon against it – it brings to mind the ancient proverb, ‘to know your enemy, you must become your enemy’.”