Snake Venom and Antivenom Pharmacology

  SNAKE VENOM & ANTIVENOM Chemistry, Composition, Mechanisms and Pharmacology Abstract This integrated teaching session for Phase III MBBS students focused on the pharmacology and toxicology of snake venom and the principles of antivenom therapy. The lecture covered the chemistry, composition, mechanisms of action, and pharmacological effects of snake venoms and antivenoms. Rational use of antivenoms, indications, administration protocols, adverse reactions, and supportive management strategies were discussed. The session also highlighted the translational importance of venom-derived compounds in modern drug development. Recent advances in antivenom research, including recombinant human monoclonal antibodies, toxin-specific inhibitors, synthetic antibody technologies, and next-generation broad-spectrum antivenoms, were reviewed. Current discoveries and emerging approaches aimed at improving efficacy, safety, affordability, and accessibility of antivenom therapy were also explor...

Asiopisinus gen. nov., a new genus of the family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833 (Araneae, Theridiidae) from eastern Asia

 


Asiopisinus gen. nov., a new genus of the family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833 (Araneae, Theridiidae) from eastern Asia

Abstract

Based on morphological evidence and prior molecular phylogenetic results by Liu et al., a new genus, Asiopisinus gen. nov., is described from East Asia. The new genus comprises A. cheni sp. nov. (♂♀) as the type species, along with seven species transferred from Episinus Walckenaer, 1809: A. anfu (Liang, Liu, Yin & Yu, 2025) comb. nov., A. baoshanensis (Liu, Irfan & Peng, 2019) comb. nov., A. implicatus (Liang, Liu, Yin & Yu, 2025) comb. nov., A. nubilus (Yaginuma, 1960) comb. nov., A. ornithorhynchus (Liu, Agnarsson, Liu & Zhu, 2022) comb. nov., A. pseudonubilus (Liang, Liu, Yin & Yu, 2025) comb. nov., and A. yoshidai (Okuma, 1994) comb. nov.. The male of A. implicatus (Liang, Liu, Yin & Yu, 2025) comb. nov. is described for the first time. In addition, remarks and photos of some Chinese Episinus species are provided. The distribution records of all Asiopisinus gen. nov. species have been mapped.

Hu, C., Wei, M., Liu, J. & Xu, X. (2025) Asiopisinus gen. nov., a new genus of the family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833 (Araneae, Theridiidae) from eastern Asia. Zootaxa, 5660 (4), 475–504. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5660.4.2