Venom composition of the Iberian adder (Vipera seoanei) from northern Portugal reveals limited sex and size variation

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  Venom composition of the Iberian adder (Vipera seoanei) from northern Portugal reveals limited sex and size variation Abstract Snake venom is a complex and dynamic ecological trait, with high potential for intraspecific variation. In this study, the venom composition of the Iberian adder ( Vipera seoanei ) from the Peneda Mountains of northern Portugal was investigated to explore whether venom varies with body size and sex. Venom proteomes from six individuals representing juvenile, subadult, and adult males and females were characterised using LC–MS/MS, while individual variation was assessed from SDS–PAGE profiles of 18 snakes. LC–MS/MS identified 144 proteins, dominated by phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ), snake venom serine proteases (svSP), and C-type lectin-related proteins (CTL). Descriptive comparisons revealed contrasting individual profiles, particularly between the juvenile male, characterised by high svSP and svMP abundance, and the juvenile female, characterised by high ...

Overview of the scorpion fauna of Morocco (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

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Overview of the scorpion fauna of Morocco (Arachnida: Scorpiones)

Abstract
Morocco hosts one of the most abundant and diverse scorpion faunas in North Africa and the Mediterranean region. This scorpion fauna is notable for marked endemism and medical significance, as it encompasses species confirmed to pose a danger to humans. The present study serves as a synthesis of the knowledge gathered regarding the inventory of this scorpion fauna from previously published works. The current checklist of this scorpion fauna includes 68 species and subspecies distributed across 12 genera and two families.

Touloun, Oulaid & Elmourid, Pr Abdessamad & Bouimeja, Btissam. (2024). Overview of the scorpion fauna of Morocco (Arachnida: Scorpiones). 20. 93-105.