Categories: Nervous system phene , Muscle phene

Cross-species summary: Batrachotoxin (BTX) is a cardio- and neurotoxic steroidal alkaloid found in beetles, birds and frogs. BTX binds to voltage-gated sodium ion channels (coded for by SCN genes), leading to muscle paralysis and death. Several species of animals with a tolerance or auto-resistance to BTX, acquire BTX in their diet and transport BTX to their skin and/or feathers as a defence mechanism or possible parasite deterrence.

Species in which this phene is found:
poison dart frogs (Phyllobates)
regent whistler (Pachycephala schlegelii)
hooded pitohui (Pitohui dichrous)
rufous-naped whistler (Aleadryas rufinucha)
rusty pitohui (Pitohui ferrugineus)
black pitohui (Pitohui nigrescens)
blue-capped ifrita (Ifrita kowaldi)