Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia

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  Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia  Abstract This review traces the historical trajectory of ophidiology (the study of snakes) and ophidism (snakebite envenoming) within the Colombian context. Despite the profound cultural and scientific significance of the human–serpent relationship in the region, the relevant literature remains fragmented, with foundational historical works neither digitized nor readily accessible. To address this, we conducted a narrative review of primary sources spanning from the pre-Colombian era to the present. Our methodology involved sourcing material from specialized libraries, historical archives, personal collections and contemporary scientific databases. The analysis identifies and contextualizes pivotal contributions across distinct historical periods, from early archeological evidence and colonial accounts to foundational eighteenth-century works and the formalized scientific studies of the last two centuries. The review cul...

Evolutionary dynamics of the chromosomal changes in the genus Cyphophthalmus (Arachnida: Opiliones) on the Balkan Peninsula

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Evolutionary dynamics of the chromosomal changes in the genus Cyphophthalmus (Arachnida: Opiliones) on the Balkan Peninsula

Abstract

We investigated the genus Cyphophthalmus within the suborder Cyphophthalmi (Arachnida: Opiliones), focusing on its cytogenetic evolution in the Balkan Peninsula. Our comprehensive analysis of 21 species revealed a notable range in diploid chromosome numbers (2n = 24–30), challenging previous assumptions of genetic uniformity within this group. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with an 18S rDNA probe, we detected variability in the number of loci, with evidence of independent increases in this cluster (up to five pairs). This study combines the results of phylogenetic reconstruction based on analysis of mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) (including karyotyped individuals) with standard and molecular cytogenetic techniques, making it the first of its kind in harvestman research. The findings reveal a significantly higher level of biodiversity in the Balkan Peninsula than previously recognized, suggesting complex differentiation within the genus Cyphophthalmus. Additionally, our results highlight the efficacy of cytogenetics as a tool for species’ delineation, enriching our understanding of the evolutionary history of the genus and emphasizing the intricate genetic diversity shaped by the unique geological and environmental history of the Balkan Peninsula.

Hiřman, M., Karaman, I., Štundlová, J., Just, P., & Šťáhlavský, F. (2025). Evolutionary dynamics of the chromosomal changes in the genus Cyphophthalmus (Arachnida: Opiliones) on the Balkan Peninsula. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 204(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf068