The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides

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  The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides Abstract Mesobuthus martensii , the source species of the traditional Chinese medicine “Quanxie”, has long been utilized for its therapeutic properties. Venom peptides are recognized as the major active molecular basis of these pharmacological activities. Despite this, their development as therapeutic agents remains poorly explored. In this study, we performed an integrated multi-omics investigation to systematically explore the venom peptides of Mesobuthus martensii . We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of Mesobuthus martensii using third-generation sequencing technologies, yielding a genome size of 1.08 Gb with a contig N50 of 46.46 Mb. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses led to the identification of 51 putative novel venom peptide candidates. From the broader venom peptide set, five lysine- and arginine-rich candidates were select...

On some teratological scorpions in the Natural History Museum, London and checklist of the scorpiological literature on morphological anomalies (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

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On some teratological scorpions in the Natural History Museum, London and checklist of the scorpiological literature on morphological anomalies (Arachnida: Scorpiones)


Abstract


Whilst undertaking curation in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London, the senior author came across a jar of scorpions marked ‘scorpions with curled feet’. Further investigation showed this jar was full of scorpions with teratological anatomy. We hereby document and illustrate all of the specimens and discuss their respective anomalies. Furthermore, a comprehensive checklist of the literature on anomalies in scorpions, including giving the life stage and sex where known, is compiled for the benefit of future workers.


Sherwood, D., & de Armas, L. F. 2023 . On some teratological scorpions in the Natural History Museum, London and checklist of the scorpiological literature on morphological anomalies (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Euscorpius, No. 381: 1-20. 

https://mds.marshall.edu/euscorpius/vol2023/iss381/1/