Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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  Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) have several morphological and behavioral antipredator traits. For example, the soft larvae accumulate their feces and exuviae from previous instars to create a so-called “fecal shield” (Engel 1936; Kosior 1975), which functions as a defense against many predator guilds (Eisner and Eisner 2000; Eisner et al. 1968; Vencl et al. 1999, 2005; Vencl and Srygley 2013). Adults are characterized by their explanate and well-sclerotized pronota and elytra, which cover all soft parts of the body, thereby forming a tortoise-shaped shield (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Jolivet 1997; Jolivet and Verma 2002; Selman 1988; Windsor et al. 1992) (Fig. 1A). Furthermore, the adults are known for their ability to grip firmly to surfaces with both tarsal claws and pads, which renders them difficult to capture (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Joliv...

Exploring the potential of Brazilian Amazonian scorpion venoms: A comprehensive review of research from 2001 to 2021

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Exploring the potential of Brazilian Amazonian scorpion venoms: A comprehensive review of research from 2001 to 2021

Abstract


The Amazon biome is home to many scorpion species, with around two hundred identified in the region. Of these, forty-eight species have been reported so far and six of them are of medical importance: Tityus apiacas, T. metuendus, T. obscurus, T. raquelae, T. silvestris, and T. strandi. Three non-medically important species have also been studied: O. cayaporum, Brotheas amazonicus and Rhopalurus laticauda. The venom of the scorpion T. obscurus is the most studied, followed by Opisthacanthus cayaporum. We aim to update the study of these Amazonian scorpion species. We will explore the harmful and beneficial properties of scorpion venom toxins and how they could be applied in drug development. This systematic review will focus on collecting and analyzing venoms from scorpions in Brazil. Only papers on Amazonian scorpion venom studies published between 2001 and 2021 (scientific articles, theses, and dissertations) were selected, based on the lists of scorpions available in the literature. Species found in the Amazon but not confirmed to be Brazilian were omitted from the review. Theses and dissertations were chosen over their derived articles. We found 40 eligible studies (13 theses and 27 articles) out of 17,880 studies and a basic statistical analysis was performed. The literature showed that T. obscurus was the most studied venom with 28 publications, followed by O. cayaporum with seven articles, B. amazonicus with three articles, T. metuendus with one article and R. laticauda with one article. No publications on the characterization of T. silvestris and T. apiacas venom were found during the reviewed period, only the clinical aspects were covered. There is still much to be explored despite the increasing number of studies conducted in recent years. Amazonian scorpions have promising potential for pharmaceutical and clinical applications.

Ramanan da Cruz, J., Bulet, P., & Mendonça de Moraes, C. (2023). Exploring the potential of Brazilian Amazonian scorpion venoms: A comprehensive review of research from 2001 to 2021. Toxicon: X, 100182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxcx.2023.100182