Role of Regulated Cell Death Pathways in Snakebite Envenomation: Mechanisms, Crosstalk, and Therapeutic Opportunities

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  Role of Regulated Cell Death Pathways in Snakebite Envenomation: Mechanisms, Crosstalk, and Therapeutic Opportunities Abstract Snakebite envenomation causes severe tissue damage, often resulting in permanent disability with long-term complications like amputations and organ dysfunction. Current antivenoms, which are antibody-based, have lower tissue penetrability and limited efficacy in minimizing the local effects, highlighting the need for adjunct therapies. Emerging evidence indicates that venom-induced pathology is not restricted to direct cytotoxicity and necrosis; rather, it also involves multiple interconnected Regulated Cell Death (RCD) pathways, but their mechanistic interplay and therapeutic implications remain poorly understood. This review examines how venom toxins induce a cellular stress response characterized by oxidative stress, membrane disruption, and calcium overload, leading to the activation of interconnected regulated cell death (RCD) pathways, including apo...

Biology and ecology of a deep cave nesting spider wasp, Ageniella evansi Townes, (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), in Arizona

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Biology and ecology of a deep cave nesting spider wasp, Ageniella evansi Townes, (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), in Arizona

ABSTRACT

Cavernicolous populations of the spider wasp Ageniella evansi Townes, 1957 (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) nest deep within limestone caves at Colossal Cave Mountain Park near Tucson, Arizona, USA. These remarkable populations are the only truly cavernicolous pompilid wasps currently known. As many as 79 females were documented nesting simultaneously within Arkenstone Cave. The facts that the wasps do not nest near cave entrances but only deep within the interior of the caves, are philopatric to each occupied cave and have been present each year for decades confirm their cavernicolous behaviour as subtroglophiles. Studies conducted for over 30 years revealed many insights into the behaviour of these wasps in addition to their nesting deep within limestone caves, including: intraspecific and interspecific competition, plasticity in host selection, precision solar navigation, evidence that some form of communal nesting may be present and behaviour suggestive of rudimentary cognition in the species. This study demonstrates the importance of assessing all animals found in caves as potential ecological elements and not focusing solely on exotic troglobiotic species.

Pape, R. B. (2024). Biology and ecology of a deep cave nesting spider wasp, Ageniella evansi Townes, (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), in Arizona. Journal of Natural History, 58(29–32), 963–1054. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2374542