A new species of Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Dolomedidae) from the island of New Guinea

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  A new species of Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Dolomedidae) from the island of New Guinea Abstract A new species, Dolomedes afi sp. n., is diagnosed and described from New Guinea Island (Papua New Guinea) based on both sexes. The new species is similar to the Australian species D. alexandri Raven & Hebron, 2018, D. vicque Raven & Hebron, 2018 and D. wollemi Raven & Hebron, 2018, but differs from them in the structure of the copulatory organs. The new species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in body coloration. A detailed description and digital photographs are provided. The collecting localities of Dolomedes species in New Guinea are mapped. Fomichev, A. A., & Omelko, M. M. (2026). A new species of Dolomedes Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Dolomedidae) from the island of New Guinea.  Acta Biologica Sibirica ,  12 , 355-365. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19563050

Characterization of Hottentotta judaicus Scorpion Venom: Toxic Effects and Neurobehavioral Modulation in Insect Models

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Characterization of Hottentotta judaicus Scorpion Venom: Toxic Effects and Neurobehavioral Modulation in Insect Models

Abstract

Scorpion venom is a rich source of diverse bioactive molecules with medicinal importance. While the venoms of many Buthidae scorpions have been extensively studied for their toxicity and therapeutic potential, Hottentotta judaicus scorpion venom (HjSV) remains poorly explored. In this study, using LC-ESI-MS, we show that HjSV has a complex composition. We find that HjSV has no significant cytotoxic effects on three human cancer cell lines, even at concentrations of up to 1000 µg/mL. However, it exerts a dose-dependent insecticidal effect against Drosophila melanogaster, a well-established genetic model organism, and two medically relevant mosquito species, Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens. These findings highlight the venom’s selective activity and reveal a species-dependent susceptibility in insects, with mosquitoes being more sensitive than Drosophila. Furthermore, we show that at sub-lethal doses, HjSV alters D. melanogaster behavioral patterns, significantly reducing locomotor activity and increasing sleep duration. Altogether, our results provide new insights into the dual role of HjSV as both an insecticidal agent and behavioral modulator, shedding light on its ecological function in prey subduing and its potential application in pest control strategies.

Wehbe, R., Karaki, A., Dassouki, Z., Rima, M., Borges, A., Roufayel, R., Legros, C., Fajloun, Z., & Kambris, Z. (2025). Characterization of Hottentotta judaicus Scorpion Venom: Toxic Effects and Neurobehavioral Modulation in Insect Models. Toxins, 17(11), 546. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17110546