Interspecific and Intraspecific Variation in Venom Proteomics, Composition, and Antivenom Efficacy of Thai Cobras (Naja spp.): Highlighting the Distinct Profile of the Newly Identified Naja fuxi

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  Interspecific and Intraspecific Variation in Venom Proteomics, Composition, and Antivenom Efficacy of Thai Cobras (Naja spp.): Highlighting the Distinct Profile of the Newly Identified Naja fuxi Abstract Cobras ( Naja  spp.) account for a significant number of snakebite incidents in Thailand. The monocled cobra ( Naja kaouthia ) has historically been considered the only non-spitting species, but recent evidence indicates population-level diversification in central and southern regions. Additionally, a newly described non-spitting species, the mountain cobra ( Naja fuxi ), has been identified in mountainous areas. This study investigates venom variation among Thai  Naja  species and populations and evaluates the efficacy of monovalent and polyvalent Thai antivenoms. Proteomic analyses revealed that three-finger toxins dominate  Naja  venoms, whereas  N. fuxi  exhibits a distinct profile enriched in snake venom metalloproteinases and cysteine-rich...

Serendipitous Discovery of Desert Hairy Scorpion Mitogenomes as Bycatch in Venom Data via Nanopore Sequencing

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Serendipitous Discovery of Desert Hairy Scorpion Mitogenomes as Bycatch in Venom Data via Nanopore Sequencing

Abstract

While originally intending to explore the venom gland microbiome of the desert hairy scorpion Hadrurus arizonensis Ewing, 1928, nanopore sequencing serendipitously recovered complete mitochondrial genomes for this iconic arachnid. Phylogenetic analysis of these high-quality genomes places Hadrurus as sister to Uroctonus, in agreement with some phylogenomic hypotheses. Additionally, we reveal significant genetic variation among individuals from the same population, highlighting the potential of mitogenomics for population genetics and phylogeography. This study showcases the effectiveness and affordability of nanopore sequencing for research with non-model organisms, opening new avenues for investigating arachnid biodiversity, evolution, and biogeography.


Graham, Matthew R., Carlos E. Santibáñez-López, Jessica R. Zehnpfennig, Dylan S. Tillman, and Barbara Murdoch. 2024. "Serendipitous Discovery of Desert Hairy Scorpion Mitogenomes as Bycatch in Venom Data via Nanopore Sequencing" Arthropoda 2, no. 2: 119-129. https://doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda2020009