Ovophis tonkinensis envenoming presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis: A case report

Posted by
  Image Credit: iNaturalist (c) randall_f –  some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Ovophis tonkinensis envenoming presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis: A case report Abstract Pit viper envenoming commonly causes venom-induced consumption coagulopathy with hypofibrinogenaemia. However, isolated thrombocytopenia without fibrinogen depletion is less recognised and may alter transfusion strategy. We report a confirmed  Ovophis tonkinensis  bite from northern Vietnam presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis. The case highlights the importance of serial platelet monitoring, awareness of fibrinogen availability and appropriate timing of antivenom and platelet support in resource-limited tropical settings. Duc ND, Hong Anh LN, Hong Khanh LN, Bach ND. Ovophis tonkinensis envenoming presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis: A case report. Tropical Doctor . 2026;0(0). doi: 10.1177/00494755261435153

Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): morphology, molecular characterisation and reassessment of the elegans, italicum, and pusio groups from Iberia and the Canary Islands

Posted by

 


Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): morphology, molecular characterisation and reassessment of the elegans, italicum, and pusio groups from Iberia and the Canary Islands

ABSTRACT

The ant-eating spider genus Zodarion has emerged as a valuable model system for the study of various aspects of spider biology; however, its taxonomy remains a complex challenge. This difficulty primarily stems from the insufficient documentation of numerous Zodarion species. In the present study, we provide the first comprehensive morphological characterisation of Iberian and Canarian Zodarion species belonging to the elegans, italicum, and pusio groups, employing both photographic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images to emphasise key taxonomic traits. Additionally, we offer the first molecular characterisation of these species groups based on COI barcodes, aiming to facilitate their identification and explore patterns of mitochondrial variation within and between Iberian and Canarian species. A new species, Zodarion sanchezi Shafaie and Pekár sp. n., from the elegans group, is described here. Molecular analyses indicate that species within all five groups generally form monophyletic groups, with the exception of Z. styliferum, Z. modestum and Z. murphyorum, supporting the efficacy of molecular barcoding for species identification in Zodarion.

Shafaie, S., Pekár, S., & Ortiz, D. (2025). Zodarion spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae): morphology, molecular characterisation and reassessment of the elegans, italicum, and pusio groups from Iberia and the Canary Islands. Journal of Natural History, 59(25–28), 1825–1875. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2498047