Strengthening essential medicines policy to improve antivenom availability and affordability for snakebite envenomation in rural sub-Saharan Africa

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  Strengthening essential medicines policy to improve antivenom availability and affordability for snakebite envenomation in rural sub-Saharan Africa Abstract Snakebite envenomation remains a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) globally and in most sub-Saharan African countries; however, it causes the majority of morbidities, disabilities, and mortalities, affecting mostly the rural population who engage in agriculture, pastoralism, and hunting. Despite the inclusion of antivenom in the World Health Organization (WHO) Essential Medicines List, access to and affordability of safe and effective antivenom in rural areas in most sub-Saharan countries remain severely constrained by higher cost, a fragile supply chain, and policy implementation gaps. Consequently, preventable snakebite-related morbidities, mortalities, and disabilities persist in rural areas with higher incidences of snakebites. Therefore, this article examines the epidemiological burden of snakebite envenomation in rural a...

The Distribution Pattern of Poecilotheria Spiders (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) along the Foothills of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India with a Note on the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) on Large-Bodied Spiders

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The Distribution Pattern of Poecilotheria Spiders (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) along the Foothills of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India with a Note on the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) on Large-Bodied Spiders

Abstract

This present study investigates the distribution pattern of Poecilotheria spiders along the foothills of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, focusing on habitat preference, altitudinal variations, and the merit of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) to identifying species presence. Data collection involved exclusive field visits and questionnaire surveys with 749 respondents, revealing a significant gap in Poecilotheria distribution studies. The questionnaire survey revealed a widespread distribution of Poecilotheria spiders across the study area. The spiders were found to inhabit a diverse range of host trees and habitats, from low-lying areas to higher altitudes suggesting their adaptability to different habitats.  Statistical analysis demonstrated significant correlations between species sightings and demographic variables, such as age, gender, and occupation. The study underscores the importance of local people's knowledge in identifying the species distribution. Also, the  study highlights the urgent need for species conservation from various threats to the species and habitat.

ASHIK, M. MOHAMED, N. EZHILARASI, and L. ISAIARASU. 2025. “The Distribution Pattern of Poecilotheria Spiders (Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) Along the Foothills of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India With a Note on the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) on Large-Bodied Spiders”. UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 46 (8):141-51.

https://doi.org/10.56557/upjoz/2025/v46i84901.