Erranticosa gen. nov.: a New Genus of Wolf Spiders from East Asia with Notes on its Separation from Lycosa and Hogna (Araneae Lycosidae: Lycosinae)

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  Erranticosa gen. nov.: a New Genus of Wolf Spiders from East Asia with Notes on its Separation from Lycosa and Hogna (Araneae Lycosidae: Lycosinae) Abstract The taxonomy and systematic position of the Eastern Asian wolf spider Lycosa coelestis L. Koch, 1878 are revised using an integrative approach. Our study highlights distinctive morphological and molecular differences that separate this species from the generotypes of Lycosa Sundevall,1833 and Hogna Simon, 1885, to which L. coelestis was previously assigned. Based on these findings, we establish a new monotypic genus, Erranticosa gen. nov., to accommodate this species, namely E. coelestis comb. nov. We also discuss the results of a preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Lycosinae, including Erranticosa gen. nov. Additionally, based on morphological examination of the type material, we reject the synonymy of Lycosa subcoelestis Fox, 1935 with E. coelestis comb. nov., transferring it to Trochosa C.L. Koch, ...

Neurotoxicity of Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) and Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) Venoms and Their Neutralisation by Commercial Antivenoms In Vitro

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Neurotoxicity of Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) and Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) Venoms and Their Neutralisation by Commercial Antivenoms In Vitro

Abstract

The common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) and the endemic Sri Lankan krait (B. ceylonicus) are two species of krait responsible for envenomings in Sri Lanka that result in progressive neuromuscular paralysis. We characterised the in vitro neurotoxicity of B. ceylonicus and B. caeruleus venoms and studied their neutralisation by two commercially available Indian polyvalent antivenoms (i.e., VINS and BHARAT), Thai banded krait antivenom and Australian polyvalent antivenom using the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Both venoms displayed concentration-dependent neurotoxicity, showing equipotent pre-synaptic neurotoxicity at 0.03 μg/mL. At a higher concentration (1 μg/mL), both venoms showed post-synaptic neurotoxicity, with B. ceylonicus venom being more potent. VINS was unable to neutralise the neurotoxicity of B. ceylonicus venom, but neutralised both pre- and post-synaptic neurotoxicity of B. caeruleus venom. BHARAT neutralised in vitro pre- and post-synaptic activity of both B. ceylonicus and B. caeruleus venoms. Banded krait antivenom and Australian polyvalent antivenoms were unable to fully neutralise the neurotoxicity of either venom at tested concentrations. In conclusion, B. ceylonicus venom shows pre- and post-synaptic neurotoxicity similar to B. caeruleus venom. BHARAT effectively neutralises both pre- and post-synaptic neurotoxicity of B. ceylonicus venom. Both Indian polyvalent antivenoms effectively neutralise neurotoxicity induced by B. caeruleus venom.

Galappaththige, J., Isbister, G. K., Maduwage, K., Hodgson, W. C., & Silva, A. (2025). Neurotoxicity of Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) and Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) Venoms and Their Neutralisation by Commercial Antivenoms In Vitro. Toxins, 17(9), 439. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17090439