New records and invasion risk of Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) in Brazil

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  New records and invasion risk of Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) in Brazil Abstract Stenochrus portoricensis Chamberlin, 1922 is a schizomid native to the Caribbean and Central America and is notable for facultative parthenogenesis and a broad synanthropic distribution. It is widely reported as an exotic species in several regions worldwide, with recognized invasive potential. Here, we expand its known distribution in Brazil by documenting the first records from the state of Mato Grosso and new occurrences in tourist caves in Bahia. We also model the species’ potential distribution in South America using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm under current and future climate scenarios. The models indicate higher habitat suitability in regions characterized by low annual temperature variation and consistent rainfall patterns, conditions typical of tropical and subterranean environments, and predict range expansion under future climate change, p...

Spider-Venom Peptides: Structure, Bioactivity, Strategy, and Research Applications

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Spider-Venom Peptides: Structure, Bioactivity, Strategy, and Research Applications

Abstract

Spiders (Araneae), having thrived for over 300 million years, exhibit remarkable diversity, with 47,000 described species and an estimated 150,000 species in existence. Evolving with intricate venom, spiders are nature’s skilled predators. While only a small fraction of spiders pose a threat to humans, their venoms contain complex compounds, holding promise as drug leads. Spider venoms primarily serve to immobilize prey, achieved through neurotoxins targeting ion channels. Peptides constitute a major part of these venoms, displaying diverse pharmacological activities, and making them appealing for drug development. Moreover, spider-venom peptides have emerged as valuable tools for exploring human disease mechanisms. This review focuses on the roles of spider-venom peptides in spider survival strategies and their dual significance as pharmaceutical research tools. By integrating recent discoveries, it provides a comprehensive overview of these peptides, their targets, bioactivities, and their relevance in spider survival and medical research.

Guo, Ruiyin, Gang Guo, Aili Wang, Gaochi Xu, Ren Lai, and Hui Jin. 2024. "Spider-Venom Peptides: Structure, Bioactivity, Strategy, and Research Applications" Molecules 29, no. 1: 35. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010035