Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes

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  Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes Abstract Despite the vast biodiversity of Mexican vipers, venom of endemic species has been barely studied. Here we analyzed the venom composition of three endemic species of rattlesnakes: Crotalus aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. ravus . We used quantitative chromato-mass-spectrometry and compared venoms with C. molossus , a species commonly found in North America, in a comparative and phylogenetic framework. In total, we identified 165 proteins grouped in 19 main protein families, consistent with previous reports for viperid venoms. In C. aquilus and C. triseriatus , the most predominant protein-family type was Serine Proteases, and in C. triseriatus and C. molossus it was Snake Venom Metalloproteases. The Label-free quantification revealed a high proportion of Snake Venom Metalloproteases in C. aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. molossus , reaching 28–47% of the total venom. In contrast, in ...

Three new species of Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae, Sicariidae) from Brazilian caves

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Three new species of Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae, Sicariidae) from Brazilian caves


ABSTRACT

Three new species of recluse spiders are described from Brazilian caves with both males and females. Loxosceles boqueirao Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. is found in the State of Bahia, in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, it belongs to the rufescens species group, and is closely related to L. cardosoi Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018 and L. carinhanha Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018 from the same karst area. Thus, there are now three species in the Serra do Ramalho karst area closely related, but noticeably distinct morphologically from other species of Loxosceles. Loxosceles planetaria Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. and L. bodoquena Bertani & Gallão sp. nov. are found in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Serra da Bodoquena karst area. They belong to the gaucho species group and are closely related to L. gaucho Gertsch, 1967. These are the first species of Loxosceles described from this karst area in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Loxosceles boqueirao sp. nov. and L. bodoquena sp. nov. bear some troglomorphisms and are, herein, proposed as troglobitic species, whereas L. planetaria sp. nov. is proposed as a troglophilic species. Brazil has now 22 described species of Loxosceles.

Bertani, R., Bichuette, M. E., Cordeiro, L. M. and Gallão, J. E. (2024) “Three new species of Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae, Sicariidae) from Brazilian caves”, European Journal of Taxonomy, 921(1), pp. 98–115. doi: 10.5852/ejt.2024.921.2419.