Venomics of the six-eyed sand spider, Sicarius rugosus (Araneae: Sicariidae), from the neotropical dry forest of Costa Rica

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  Venomics of the six-eyed sand spider, Sicarius rugosus (Araneae: Sicariidae), from the neotropical dry forest of Costa Rica Abstract Background Sicarius rugosus , the only member of the genus that inhabits Central America, is phylogenetically related to South American  Sicarius  spiders. These originated from a common ancestor with sister African species. Like  Loxosceles ,  Sicarius  exhibits venom phospholipase D activity due to a group of toxins known collectively as SicTox. Methods A gel-assisted, bottom-up, proteomic analysis was performed to characterize the venom composition of  S. rugosus . Hyaluronidase activity was determined using zymography. Results We identified several SicTox sequences, all classified as β-clade paralogs and sharing unique peptides with proteins from  S. patagonicus ,  S. peruensis,  and other species. Enzymes such as metalloproteinases, including putative astacins, carboxypeptidases, and angiotensin-conv...

Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India

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Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India

Abstract

Delhi, one of the world’s most populous cities, hosts a diverse array of urban habitats amidst its limited green cover. Scorpions, distinguished by their venomous stings and ancient lineage, thrive in Delhi’s semi-arid climate. Despite their ecological significance, studies on scorpion diversity in urban environments remain scarce. This study aimed to address this gap by conducting the first systematic assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi. Field surveys were conducted during both day and night to collect specimens, which were then identified using established taxonomic keys. Four scorpion species from two families were recorded, including Chersonesometrus fulvipes, Isometrus maculatus, Compsobuthus rugosulus, and Lychas cf. biharensis. The semi-arid climate of Delhi, within the Punjab plains biogeographic province, provides a conducive environment for scorpion species to inhabit. This study serves as a preliminary assessment of scorpion diversity in Delhi and underscores the need for further dedicated surveys to comprehensively understand their distribution and ecology in the region.

Barhadiya, G., Pandey, P., Sultana, A., Mohapatra, P. P., & Das, S. K. (2025). Scorpion fauna of urban Delhi, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 125(1), 57–62. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v125/i1/2025/172690