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 ...

Distribution mapping of deadly scorpions in Iran

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Distribution mapping of deadly scorpions in Iran

Abstract

Scorpion sting is a problem all over the world and becomes an acute problem when it is associated with death. Iran is known as a region with a large number of scorpions and, of course, with many cases of scorpion stings per year. So far, 11 scorpion species in Iran have been identified as dangerous, of which there are only three species for which deaths have been reported. Due to the importance of these three species, we prepared a distribution map of these three types of scorpions and discuss the implications of these findings in the larger context of dangerous scorpion stings in Iran.
Bardaran, M., Mohajer, S., & Kazemi, S. M. (2024). Distribution mapping of deadly scorpions in Iran. Toxicon, 108109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108109