New data on spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Türkiye, with descriptions of four new species

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  New data on spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Türkiye, with descriptions of four new species Abstract New taxonomic and faunistic data on Turkish spiders are presented. Four species are described as new to science: Cybaeus anatolicus sp. nov . (♀; Konya) [ Cybaeidae ], Dictyna caligaformis sp. nov . (♂♀; Bursa) [ Dictynidae ], Leptonetela ayvaensis sp. nov . (♂♀; Bursa), and L. oylatensis sp. nov . (♂; Bursa) [ Leptonetidae ]. Except for Cybaeus anatolicus sp. nov ., the remaining new species were collected in caves. Additionally, Drassodes robatus Roewer, 1961 [ Gnaphosidae ] is recorded from Türkiye for the first time, and an unusual variation in the shape of the retrolateral tibial apophysis is documented in an unidentified congener. Additional illustrations are provided for Cataleptoneta aydintopcui Demircan, 2020 [ Leptonetidae ] and Pterotricha kochi (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) [ Gnaphosidae ], for which new localities in Türkiye are reported, as well as for ...

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Diverse Expression of Scorpion Toxin Genes in Mesobuthus martensii

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Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Diverse Expression of Scorpion Toxin Genes in Mesobuthus martensii

Abstract

Scorpions, an ancient group of venomous invertebrates, have existed for over 430 million years. Their toxins, important for predation and defense, exhibit a variety of biological and pharmacological activities. Research on scorpion toxins has spanned decades. Notably, the toxin genes of Mesobuthus martensii (Scorpiones: Buthidae), a well-known Chinese herbal medicine, have been described at genomic and proteomic levels. However, previous studies primarily focused on the toxin genes expressed in the venom glands, overlooking their expression in multiple tissues. This study analyzed transcriptomes from 14 tissues of M. martensii. Gene annotation revealed 83 toxin and toxin-like genes, including those affecting sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride ion channels. Approximately 70% of toxin genes were highly expressed in the vesicle; additionally, some exhibited low or no expression in the vesicle while showing high expression in other tissues. Beyond the vesicle, high expression levels of toxin genes were observed in metasoma segments II-V, blood, lateral eyes, chelicerae, legs, pedipalp chelae, femurs, and patellae. This expression pattern suggests that toxin genes are recruited from multiple tissues and may help prevent intraspecific harm during courtship and competition for prey. These findings inspire further research into the evolutionary recruitment process of scorpion toxins.

Yang, Z., Wang, H., Zhao, Y., Huang, J., Zhang, C., & Di, Z. (2024). Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Diverse Expression of Scorpion Toxin Genes in Mesobuthus martensii. Toxins, 16(9), 399. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16090399