Notes on the identity of the orb-weaver spider Araneus nox Simon, 1877 (Araneae: Araneidae) from India, including its transfer to Eriovixia Archer, 1951 and one new synonymy

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  Notes on the identity of the orb-weaver spider Araneus nox Simon, 1877 (Araneae: Araneidae) from India, including its transfer to Eriovixia Archer, 1951 and one new synonymy The orb-weaver genus Araneus Clerck, 1757 has historically served as a heterogeneous assemblage for numerous araneid spiders lacking clear generic placement, and several Asian species formerly assigned to Araneus have subsequently been transferred to more narrowly defined genera. One species that still needs further investigation on its true identity is Araneus nox (Simon, 1877), originally described as Epeira nox Simon, 1877 from Basilan Island, Philippines, and later transferred to Araneus by Simon (1905). In the same year as the description of Epeira nox, Thorell (1877) described Epeira pilula from the Moluccas (Indonesia), which was subsequently synonymised under Epeira nox by Simon (1880). Despite its broad Oriental distribution, the taxonomic identity and generic placement of A. nox have remained insuff...

Comparative venom proteomes of Malaysian snake species from regions in Southeast Asia obtained by shotgun proteomics: A systematic review

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Abstract

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a critical yet neglected public health issue in ASEAN countries, including Malaysia. Antivenom immunotherapy is the primary treatment for SBE, functioning by neutralising toxic venom components through antibodies raised from immunised animals. Current antivenoms come with potential reduced efficacy due to regional venom variability. The aim of this systematic review is to consolidate and compare the venom proteome composition from Malaysian venomous snakes (elapids and viperids) sampled from Malaysia, with their counterparts sampled across other Southeast Asia (SEA) regions. Literature search on ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Ovid MEDLINE databases were done on relevant studies published in English from Jan 2014 to Dec 2024. A total of 630 studies were imported for screening. 68 articles received full text assessment to determine their eligibility, and finally, 36 articles were eligible for the systematic review. Among these, proteomic compositions from 9 elapid and 5 viperid species from Malaysia, and their counterparts in other SEA regions were consolidated, with 3 studies investigated both elapids and viperids, 26 studies investigated only elapid(s), and 7 studies investigated only viperid(s). Results revealed geographical variability between venom proteomes at the inter- and intra- specific level. Comparative analysis of venom proteomes between Malaysian venomous snakes and their counterparts located across SEA enables correlation between intra-species variation and clinical toxinology, supporting efforts towards the development of a more effective antivenom (i.e., species- and region-specific, as well as 'universal'), and providing valuable information for clinicians in administering a more appropriate antivenom.
Chong, S. Y., Lee, X. Y., & Zainal Abidin, S. A. (2025). Comparative venom proteomes of Malaysian snake species from regions in Southeast Asia obtained by shotgun proteomics: A systematic review. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics, 56, 101624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2025.101624