Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

Posted by
  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Venom characterization of Venezuelan scorpion Tityus caripitensis.

Posted by

 


Venom characterization of Venezuelan scorpion Tityus caripitensis

ABSTRACT

Tityus caripitensis is an endemic scorpion species found in the northeastern region from Venezuela, being responsible for sting accidents in this area. This study describes for the first time a biological, biochemical and electrophysiological partial characterization of Tityus caripitensis scorpion venom. The venom is toxic to mice with a LD50 of 20.2 μg/gr mouse. Animals experimentally envenomed with Tityus caripitensis venom gradually manifested clinical signs in response to sublethal doses. SDS-PAGE of the venom resulted in 7 fractions ranging in size from ∼3.5 to ≥ 38 kDa. The 6-8 kDa proteins could correspond to neurotoxins. In addition, the components of Tityus caripitensis venom were similar to those obtained in the electrophoretic profile of Tityus discrepans. The commercial anti- Tityus discrepans IgG showed reactivity against Tityus caripitensis venom. Tityus caripitensis venom could induce hematological changes such as hyperamylasemia and hyperglycemia. The venom modified voltage dependent Na+v1.4 channels and blocked Kv+ channels. Although Tityus caripitensis venom is less toxic than Tityus discrepans, they share molecular and antigenic components. This aspect should be considered in the application of antivenom treatment.
Hudefeb, A., Álvarez, A., Hernández, D., Castillo, C., Malave, C., Parrilla, P., & Zerpa, N. (2024). Venom characterization of Venezuelan scorpion Tityus caripitensis. Toxicon, 108174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108174