Venom composition of the Iberian adder (Vipera seoanei) from northern Portugal reveals limited sex and size variation

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  Venom composition of the Iberian adder (Vipera seoanei) from northern Portugal reveals limited sex and size variation Abstract Snake venom is a complex and dynamic ecological trait, with high potential for intraspecific variation. In this study, the venom composition of the Iberian adder ( Vipera seoanei ) from the Peneda Mountains of northern Portugal was investigated to explore whether venom varies with body size and sex. Venom proteomes from six individuals representing juvenile, subadult, and adult males and females were characterised using LC–MS/MS, while individual variation was assessed from SDS–PAGE profiles of 18 snakes. LC–MS/MS identified 144 proteins, dominated by phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ), snake venom serine proteases (svSP), and C-type lectin-related proteins (CTL). Descriptive comparisons revealed contrasting individual profiles, particularly between the juvenile male, characterised by high svSP and svMP abundance, and the juvenile female, characterised by high ...

The morphology of Buthus kunti Yağmur, Koç & Lourenço(Scorpiones: Buthidae) and first description of male with some ecological observations

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The morphology of Buthus kunti Yağmur, Koç & Lourenço(Scorpiones: Buthidae) and first description of male with some ecological observations

ABSTRACT

Buthus kunti Yağmur, Koç & Lourenço was described based on a female holotype specimen from Cyprus. This species is redescribed based on the holotype and additional specimens collected from Cyprus, with the male description and variational information presented for the first time. Detailed illustrations and UV light images of the female holotype and male specimen are provided. The first ecological observations of B. kunti are presented here. We observed that B. kunti prefers sandy soil and is a burrowing species. Additionally, we observed that B. kunti is associated with the bushes of Cistus salviifolius. According to our observations, specimens sit under the branches of these bushes or climb them. Adults were observed under the bushes, whereas subadult specimens were observed on the branches. We also report the first recorded case of cannibalism in this species, documenting two instances.

Yağmur, E. A., Kunt, K. B., Hadjiconstantis, M., Bağlar, H., & Gücel, S. (2025). The morphology of Buthus kunti Yağmur, Koç & Lourenço(Scorpiones: Buthidae) and first description of male with some ecological observations. Journal of Natural History, 59(25–28), 1775–1805. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2498715