Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production

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  By Guy Haimovitch - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=630184 Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production Abstract Mite infestations are a recurrent welfare issue that significantly affect the health, venom production, and survival of scorpions, particularly under human care. Chemical acaricides such as permethrins and fipronil, widely used in veterinary medicine for mite and tick control, are contraindicated in scorpions. Since mites and scorpions both belong to the class Arachnida, even minimal exposure can result in severe toxicity or death. Neem oil ( Azadirachta indica ) has been widely recognized for its acaricidal, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Its main compound, azadirachtin, interferes with mite development and reproduction, leading to reduced infestations and egg viability. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 1...

Molecular phylogeny of the wolf spider subfamily Allocosinae in South America (Araneae: Lycosidae)

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Molecular phylogeny of the wolf spider subfamily Allocosinae in South America (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Abstract

The wolf spiders of the subfamily Allocosinae are known for their complex taxonomy, especially in the Neotropical region. Despite previous taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily remain largely unknown. This study aims to clarify the evolutionary relationships within South American Allocosinae, hypothesizing a greater diversity than currently recognized and seeking to resolve ambiguities in genus-level classification. We used a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences to construct phylogenetic analyses for 73 specimens across 13 species of Allocosinae. Analyses using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian frameworks were conducted to examine internal relationships and phylogenetic structure and to infer a timeline of diversification. Additionally, species delimitation was conducted to identify cryptic lineages. Our results recover the specimens considered to be representatives of the subfamily Allocosinae as a monophyletic group, and identified five major clades. Divergence time estimates suggested Allocosinae originated in the Early Miocene (15–22 million years ago), and underwent significant diversification during the Pleistocene. Species delimitation analysis based on single markers uncovered 24 lineages, indicating potentially overlooked species. Allocosinae has shown to be an interesting group to study incipient speciation processes, ecology of coastal environments and atypical behaviors such as sex role reversal. Knowing and understanding the evolutionary history and relationships within the subfamily is necessary for progress in its study in any field of biology.

Laborda Á, Simó M, Piacentini LN, Brescovit AD, Beloso C, Aisenberg A, Arnedo MA, Ramírez MJ, Bidegaray-Batista L (2025) Molecular phylogeny of the wolf spider subfamily Allocosinae in South America (Araneae: Lycosidae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 83: 353-367. https://doi.org/10.3897/asp.83.e152943