How to ensure a species remains in oblivion: the history of Nemesia hispanica L. Koch, 1871 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Nemesiidae)

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  How to ensure a species remains in oblivion: the history of Nemesia hispanica L. Koch, 1871 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Nemesiidae) Abstract The taxonomic history of Nemesia hispanica L. Koch 1871 is revised; it is a species long affected by misidentifications since 1871. New material from Monte Abantos, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid (Spain) is analyzed, providing the first descriptions of males, adult females, and burrow structure—particularly relevant given that the holotype seems to be an immature specimen. Morphology of copulatory organs and the distinctive burrow architecture allow clear differentiation from other morphologically related species. Finally, the historical chain of misidentifications is examined, along with its implications for Iberian nemesiid diversity and taxonomy. Pertegal, C., Narro, A. & Olivares, P. (2026) How to ensure a species remains in oblivion: the history of Nemesia hispanica L. Koch, 1871 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Nemesiidae). Zootaxa , 5869...

Should snakes used in antivenom production be retired? An analysis of Bothrops moojeni venom at different ages

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By (Greg Hume) - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12164448

Should snakes used in antivenom production be retired? An analysis of Bothrops moojeni venom at different ages

ABSTRACT

Accidents involving venomous snakes in Brazil are mostly caused by the Bothrops genus. Snake venoms, just like Bothrops moojeni venom, one of the snake species used to produce the antibotropic serum, may have variations in its venom due to many factors like age, which could be analyzed due to the excellent maintenance of the Butantan Institute's vivarium. Therefore, analyzing the influence of senility on the venom profile is important in order to understand and guarantee the efficacy of the antibotropic serum. To this end, pools of Bothrops moojeni were used to better understand this variation, with females and males, adults and seniles. The results showed a variation between the adult and senile groups, where the adult groups have a higher proteolytic activity, while the senile groups have a higher coagulant and hemolytic activity. In relation to the immuno-recognition tests carried out, the senile groups were less recognized than the adults, an important result to guide more assertive treatment if necessary. Consequently, the venom of Bothrops moojeni varies according to senility, highlighting the importance of this study not only for this species, but for others that may also have this variation.
Moitas, M., Reis, G., Lima, E., Tavares, M., Tasima, L., Silveira, G., Grego, K., & Tanaka-Azevedo, A. (2025). Should snakes used in antivenom production be retired? An analysis of Bothrops moojeni venom at different ages. Toxicon, 108624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2025.108624