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

Posted by
  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, ...

Can size make a difference? Cross-predation occurrences between lizards and scorpions in the Brazilian seasonal dry tropical forest

Posted by

 


Can size make a difference? Cross-predation occurrences between lizards and scorpions in the Brazilian seasonal dry tropical forest

ABSTRACT

Cross-predation is an important event that may influence prey–predator dynamics, especially in arid and semiarid ecosystems. In this study, we report four predation events involving lizards and scorpions from different sites in the Brazilian seasonal dry tropical forest. In three of these events, the lizard acted as the predator, while in one event, the scorpion was the predator. Body size played a determining role when lizards were the predator of the scorpion, with larger vertebrates feeding on the arachnids. In contrast, when the sizes were similar, the scorpion acted as the predator of the lizard. Our findings suggest a complex relationship between lizards and scorpions in the Brazilian seasonal dry tropical forest.

Silva-Júnior A.O.1, Brito-Almeida T.R.1, Feitosa M.L.B.2, Jansen R.G.3, Peres M.4, Azevedo R.5, Moura G.J.B.6, Barbosa A.R.7, Lira A.F.A.8 2023. Can size make a difference? Cross-predation occurrences between lizards and scorpions in the Brazilian seasonal dry tropical forest // Invertebrate Zoology. Vol.20. No.3: 343–347 [in English].