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, ...

Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the parasitoid wasp Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brullé, 1846) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

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Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the parasitoid wasp Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brullé, 1846) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)

Abstract

Hymenoepimecis wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) are ectoparasitoids of spiders that modify the hosts’ behaviour by inducing changes in webs. Variations in the male reproductive tract contribute to enhancing our understanding of the reproductive behaviour of these insects. This study describes the morphology of the male reproductive tract of Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brullé, 1846) using light microscope. The male reproductive tract of H. bicolor consists of a pair of testes, each containing a single follicle, two vasa deferentia, one ejaculatory duct and two accessory glands. The testis follicle has cysts at various stages of spermatogenesis, indicating ongoing sperm cell development and maturation. The vasa deferentia are elongated, with a coiled distal portion, whereas the proximal regions are laterally associated with a pair of accessory glands. The wall of the vasa deferentia has simple cuboidal epithelium. The accessory glands had a simple columnar epithelium with the lumen filled with heterogeneous content. The seminal vesicle is absent. The similarity in the anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of H. bicolor with other Hymenoptera suggests that the parasitoid behaviour does not result in significant alteration to their reproductive organs, indicating that the reproductive tract is conserved in Hymenoptera, regardless of their behaviours.


Silva, L. L., Cossolin, J. F. S., Kloss, T. G., Alvim, J. R. L., Reis, A. B., Zanuncio, J. C., Castro, B. M. d. C. e., & Serrão, J. E. (2024). Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the parasitoid wasp Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brullé, 1846) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Acta Zoologica, 00, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/azo.12500