Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

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  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Investigating the Influence of Hepatic Neoplasms on Bothrops Venom Biochemistry

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Investigating the Influence of Hepatic Neoplasms on Bothrops Venom Biochemistry

Abstract

Snake envenoming is a relevant public health issue, especially in tropical regions worldwide. Bothrops venom is essential for antivenom production in Brazil; however, the impacts of hepatic neoplasms on venom composition remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate whether hepatic neoplasms and/or cysts influence the biochemical profile and enzymatic activity of venoms from five Bothrops species. Venoms from 17 snakes — 8 with hepatic alterations and 9 healthy — were analyzed using SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, ELISA, RP-HPLC, and enzymatic activity assays. The results revealed high intra- and interspecific variability, with no consistent pattern linking the presence of neoplasms to significant changes in venom protein composition or enzymatic activities. Occasional differences were observed in proteolytic, phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase activities and Minimum Coagulant Dose in some individuals; however, these were not directly attributable to hepatic pathology. Immunoreactivity with the commercial antibothropic antivenom remained effective in all samples. The study concludes that hepatic neoplasms or cysts do not compromise venom biochemical integrity for antivenom production, reinforcing the viability of using these individuals for venom extraction in captivity for public health purposes.
Vespasiano, C. T., Serino-Silva, C., Machado Silveira, G. P., Rodrigues, F. S., Rameh-de-Albuquerque, L. C., Sant'anna, S. S., Grego, K. F., & Tanaka-Azevedo, A. M. (2025). Investigating the Influence of Hepatic Neoplasms on Bothrops Venom Biochemistry. Toxicon, 108561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108561