Evidence of venom variability associated with venom extraction interval in the monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia)

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  Evidence of venom variability associated with venom extraction interval in the monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) Abstract Snake venom variability is a critical factor in antivenom production. Although several influencing factors have been studied, the impact of extraction interval on venom properties remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of various extraction intervals on venom yield, the percentage of dry weight (%Dw), and composition in the monocled cobra ( Naja kaouthia ). Twenty-five captive snakes were randomly allocated to five groups, each undergoing a control extraction followed by a repeated extraction at 1, 4, 7, 10, or 14 days. Venom profiles were characterized using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results indicated that while fresh venom yield remained stable across all intervals, %Dw significantly decreased in extractions performed between 1 and 10 days, ...

Two new species of the remarkable scorpion genus Megacormus Karsch, 1881 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)

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Two new species of the remarkable scorpion genus Megacormus Karsch, 1881 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae)


Abstract

Two new species of the very interesting euscorpiid scorpion genus Megacormus Karsch, 1881, are herein described from eastern Mexico. Both had been previously misidentified in the published literature, one as Megacormus segmentatus Pocock, 1900, the other as Megacormus granosus (Gervais, 1844), but the direct comparison of adults of both sexes to adult topotypes from all members of the genus currently accepted as valid taxa, revealed solid morphological characters that warrant their recognition as distinct taxa. Both new species seem also to be endemics with a small distribution area, but apparently not restricted to a single locality. This addition raises the known composition of the genus to eight species, all of them exclusively from mountain sites of eastern Mexico.


Teruel, R., Kovařík, F., Lowe, G., & Šťáhlavský, F. 2023 . Two new species of the remarkable scorpion genus Megacormus Karsch, 1881 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Euscorpius, No. 375: 1-22.