A new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Euagrus Ausserer (Araneae: Euagridae) from central Mexico and new records of E. gus Coyle from Tlaxcala

Posted by
  A new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Euagrus Ausserer (Araneae: Euagridae) from central Mexico and new records of E. gus Coyle from Tlaxcala Abstract  A new species of the spider genus Euagrus Ausserer, 1875 from temperate pine-oak forests in the states of Tlaxcala and Hidalgo, Mexico is described: E. pulque sp. nov. The description of the new species is based on male and female adult specimens. Additionally, Euagrus gus Coyle, 1988 is recorded for the very first time in the state of Tlaxcala. These species have sympatric distributions in La Malinche National Park, Tlaxcala. With this description, the diversity of the genus increases to 23 species, with Mexico harboring the highest diversity with 17 described species.  Valdez-Mondragón, A., Salinas-Velasco, H. V. & Bueno-Villegas, J. (2026). A new species of the mygalomorph spider genus Euagrus Ausserer (Araneae: Euagridae) from central Mexico and new records of E. gus Coyle from Tlaxcala. Zootaxa 5810 (...

Comparative Histological Characterization of the Venom Apparatus in Five Iranian Scorpion Species

Posted by

 


Comparative Histological Characterization of the Venom Apparatus in Five Iranian Scorpion Species

Abstract

Background: Scorpion envenomation represents a significant public health concern worldwide. The telson is located at the distal part of the metasoma, where venom is secreted from a pair of venom glands. The curved stinger is responsible for venom delivery.

Methods: This study conducted a histological examination of five scorpion species, including Hottentotta juliae, Hotten­totta zagrosensis, Odontobuthus kermanus, and Scorpio maurus, which were gathered from Fars Province, as well as Hemiscorpius lepturus, collected from Khuzestan Province. The telson histology was assessed using the hematoxylin-eosin method.

Results: The exocuticle, endocuticle, and secretory epithelium, which consists of secretory and supporting cells, were identified in the tissues of all species. Cuticle pores were distributed throughout the telson. Each venom gland possesses a central lumen, where secreted venom accumulates within a venom sac. The intercalated tendon is located beneath the basal membrane and connects the glandular epithelium to the cuticle. The sizes and shapes of the secretory epithelial cells vary depending on the species.

Conclusion: While histology elucidates the structural organization of scorpion venom glands, integrating histological findings with proteomic and histochemical approaches would provide a more comprehensive understanding of venom composition and interspecific variation.

Soltan-Alinejad, P., Kargar-Jahromi, H., Karimi, F., & Azizi, K. (2025). Comparative histological characterization of the venom apparatus in five Iranian scorpion species. Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases, 19 (2). https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v19i2.20193