Envenomization with Snake Versus Scorpion Venom: Postmortem Repercussions on the Successional Dynamics of Carcass-Attracted Flies in a Forensic Context

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  Envenomization with Snake Versus Scorpion Venom: Postmortem Repercussions on the Successional Dynamics of Carcass-Attracted Flies in a Forensic Context Abstract Background: Animal venoms may alter postmortem carcass conditions and thereby influence carrion-associated insects. However, it remains unclear whether lethal envenomization affects adult Diptera as a broad assemblage-level response or as taxon-specific changes during decomposition. Methods: Fifteen rabbits were assigned to control, snake-envenomized, or scorpion-envenomized treatments (with five carcasses each). Carcasses were exposed under semi-natural conditions, until complete dryness, over 11 days postmortem. Adult flies were collected daily for analyzing abundance at total, family, and selected species levels, using negative GLMM, with carcass identity as a random effect and postmortem day as a nonlinear predictor. Results: A total of 5497 adult flies representing 13 species in seven families was recorded. Total fly...

Extraction of hemolymph by cardiac puncture: research tool in Grammostola spp. (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

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Extraction of hemolymph by cardiac puncture: research tool in Grammostola spp. (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

Abstract

This  study  focuses  on  the  collection  and  analysis  of  hemolymph  from  adult  spiders  belonging  to  the  genus  Grammostola, specifically those marketed as G.  porteri.  Using  the  cardiac  puncture technique, hemolymph was obtained without causing permanent harm to the arachnids, representing an ethical alternative to traditional extraction methods that require limb amputation. Morphological results confirmed that the specimens exhibited typical characteristics of the genus Grammostola. The protein components of the hemolymph were analyzed, showing a predominance of bands at 70 and 25 kDa. The recovery hemocytes were mainly granulocytes, and phylogenetic analyses allowed grouping of different families and genera within the suborder Mygalomorphae. Additionally, the implications of the findings on the taxonomy of G.  porteri were discussed, corroborating its classification as a synonym of G. rosea. This study not only contributes to the understanding of the diversity  and  systematics  of  tarantulas  in  Chile  but  also  proposes  an  innovative  approach  for  the  collection of genetic material, promoting more sustainable practices in arachnological research.


Herrera, D. ., Araya, J. E. . and Catalán, A. . (2025) “Extracción de hemolinfa por punción cardiaca: herramienta investigativa en <em>Grammostola</em> spp. (Araneae: Theraphosidae)”, Revista Chilena de Entomología, 51(2). Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/87423 (Accessed: 1 July 2025).