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 Neischnocolus Petrunkevitch, 1925 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Eastern and Western Ecuador

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Two new Species of Neischnocolus Petrunkevitch, 1925 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Eastern and Western Ecuador

Abstract 


Two new species of Neischnocolus Petrunkevitch, 1925 are described from the eastern and western slopes of the Andean Cordillera of Ecuador. N. tsere sp. nov. differs from all congeners by having the prolateral inferior keel well developed and longer than prolateral superior keel, prolateral inferior and prolateral superior keels slightly serrated at distal section, prolateral inferior keel not continuous, and retrolateral keel absent. N. cisnerosi sp. nov. differs from all congeners by having a prolateral accessory keel, retrolateral keel, prolateral superior and prolateral inferior keels non-serrated, and the presence of median dorsal granular area rounded-shaped over ventral surface. Comments on biogeography of Neischnocolus are made.

Peñaherrera-R., P., Guerrero-Campoverde, A., León-E., R. J., Pinos-Sanchez, A. & Falcón-Reibán, J. M. (2023c). Two new species of Neischnocolus Petrunkevitch, 1925 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from eastern and western Ecuador. Zootaxa 5351(4): 483-493. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5351.4.6