Distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of Heterometrus laoticus and Lychas mucronatus scorpion venoms on cardiovascular and renal functions

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  Distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of Heterometrus laoticus and Lychas mucronatus scorpion venoms on cardiovascular and renal functions Abstract Background:    Heterometrus laoticus and Lychas mucronatus are widely distributed in Southeast Asia, yet their pathophysiological effects of both venoms remain poorly characterized due to low human fatality rates. This study compared their venom compositions and acute cardiovascular and renal effects. Methods:   Anesthetized male New Zealand White rabbits were monitored for blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and renal clearance following intravenous administration of crude venom (0.5 mg/kg). Venom components were identified via LC-MS/MS, and hematological/biochemical parameters were assessed. Results:    H. laoticus venom induced a rapid, transient hypotension ( p < 0.05), followed by a mild, prolonged hypotensive phase (up to 120 min). Conversely, L. mucronatus venom elicited a biphasic response: ...

Description of four new Steatoda species (Araneae: Theridiidae) from the Mediterranean region with notes on some related species

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Description of four new Steatoda species (Araneae: Theridiidae) from the Mediterranean region with notes on some related species

Abstract

Four new Steatoda species from the Mediterranean region are diagnosed, described and illustrated: S.
koeni sp. nov. (♂♀, Morocco), S. ingeae sp. nov. (♂♀, Morocco), S. dickjonesi sp. nov. (♂♀, France)
and S. verae sp. nov. (♂♀, Spain). The holotype of S. triangulosa concolor (Caporiacco, 1933) was
examined and found to be a subadult specimen, the subspecies is elevated to species level and S.
concolor stat. nov. is described from both sexes (♂♀, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria), and the female of S.
trianguloides is redescribed. Three new synonyms are proposed: S. moerens (Thorell, 1875) is found
to be a junior synonym of S. latifasciata (Simon, 1873) new syn.; S. incomposita (Denis, 1957) is found
to be a junior synonym of Steatoda albocincta (Lucas, 1846) new syn.; S. albomaculata infuscata
(Schenkel, 1925) is synonymized with S. albomaculata (De Geer, 1778) new syn.; S. venator (Audouin,
1826) is considered a nomen dubium. All Euro-Mediterranean Steatoda species except S. xerophila
Levy & Amitai 1982 are illustrated and a key to the species is provided.

VAN KEER, J., BOSSELAERS, J., OGER, P. (2024). Description of four new Steatoda species (Araneae: Theridiidae) from the Mediterranean region with notes on some related species. Journal of the Belgian Arachnological Society 39(2) supplement: 1-77.