Geographic variation in stonefish (Synanceia spp.) venom

Stonefish (Synanceia spp.) possess a medically significant venom and are widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific. Yet, little is known about how the ecology of these animals may influence their venom. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of species and geographic location on stonefish venom composition. We collected the venom of Synanceia horrida (Estuarine Stonefish) and Synanceia verrucosa (Reef Stonefish) from various locations across Australia (Cairns, Brisbane, Caloundra, and Onslow), and Southeast Asia (Kota Kinabalu, and Cebu) and analysed these samples using SDS-PAGE, FPLC, and HPLC. Stonefish have a complex venom comprised of numerous components. Stonefish venom exhibited both similarities and variations in composition within species between geographically isolated populations, as well as between species in a single location. We speculate that the observed geographic and interspecific trends may be driven by similarities and differences in the selective pressures faced by these animals, particularly those associated with predator dynamics. The findings of this study have furthered our understanding of the ecology of stonefish and their toxins.