The evolution of predator-prey interactions yields interesting adaptations, resulting in some quirky phenomena. Snakes are a commonly-feared predator and people are familiar with (and dread) the venomous ones. There are two ways in which snakes have evolved to utilize their venom to capture prey. One method is to strike and hold, whereby the snake maintains its grip on the prey after biting and injecting its venom. This seems a perfectly reasonable strategy on the part of the snake. Alternatively, some snakes use a strike and release process: once envenomation occurs, the snake releases its prey, which seems on the face of it less reasonable but can be explained as a way of reducing the chances of retaliation. However, this …

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The idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts is often used in Gestalt theory to describe human perception. However, this concept of synergy has its place in general biology as well. In a recent BMC Biology article, William Ryu and colleagues describe a novel assay in C elegans whereby monitoring multiple behaviours simultaneously shows that, surprisingly, worm thermosensory behaviour is governed by a variable – but not an increasing – number of genes, depending on the severity of the heat applied.

It is obviously critical for organisms to respond appropriately to adverse environmental conditions. Nematode worms have developed a very characteristic response to excessive heat that reorients them away from the noxious …

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