Diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from the oral cavity of captive snakes

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  Diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from the oral cavity of captive snakes Abstract Venomous snake bites are a global public health issue, causing between 81 000 and 138 000 annual deaths and 400 000 permanent disabilities. This study investigated the oral bacterial diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles in captive  Viperidae  snakes. Oral swabs from 48 specimens across four species ( Porthidium lansbergii ,  Bothriechis nigroviridis ,  Cerrophidion sasai , and  Bothrops asper ) were analyzed using culture-dependent methods. Bacterial isolation and identification using the VITEK 2 automated system revealed 41 strains from 12 genera, predominantly Gram-negative bacteria, including  Morganella morganii  (11 isolates) and  Providencia rettgeri  (10 isolates). Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated significant resistance patterns, with 100% resistance to cephalothin and cefazolin i...

Intraguild predation by two species of Hottentotta (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Pakistan

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Intraguild predation by two species of Hottentotta (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Pakistan



Abstract


Intraguild predation constitute an important ecological interaction in many ecosystems. We report two cases of intraguild predation involving scorpion as predator of centipede and assassin bug (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) during a nocturnal search for scorpions in Pakistan. In first case, Hottentotta jalalabadensis scorpion was found on rocks feeding a scolopendromorph centipede. On second, H. alticola individual was found with an assassin bug in their pedipalps and chelicerae also on rocks. In both cases when disturbed, the scorpion tries to flee to rock crevices without releasing its prey. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of intraguild interactions involving Pakistani scorpions. Depredación intragremial por dos especies de Hottentotta (Scorpiones: Buthidae) en Pakistán 


Resumen

La depredación intragremial constituye una importante interacción ecológica en muchos ecosistemas. Se reportan dos casos de depredación dentro de un gremio que involucran a escorpiones como depredadores de ciempiés y chinches asesinas (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) durante una búsqueda nocturna de escorpiones en Pakistán. En el primer caso, el escorpión Hottentotta jalalabadensis fue encontrado en las rocas alimentándose de un ciempiés escolopendromorfo. En segundo lugar, se encontró un individuo de H. alticola con una chinche asesina en sus pedipalpos y quelíceros, también en rocas. En ambos casos, cuando se sintió molestado, el escorpión intentó huir hacia las grietas de las rocas, sin soltar a su presa. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer informe de interacciones entre gremios que involucran escorpiones pakistaníes.


Muhammad Jawad, Sahibzada & Lira, André & De, Felipe & Lira², Araujo & Muhammad, & Sobia, Zahid¹ & Khan¹, Khalid. (2023). Intraguild predation by two species of Hottentotta (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Pakistan. ResearchGate