A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

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