Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production

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  By Guy Haimovitch - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=630184 Efficacy of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) as an antiparasitic treatment for scorpions (Androctonus bicolor) and its impact on venom production Abstract Mite infestations are a recurrent welfare issue that significantly affect the health, venom production, and survival of scorpions, particularly under human care. Chemical acaricides such as permethrins and fipronil, widely used in veterinary medicine for mite and tick control, are contraindicated in scorpions. Since mites and scorpions both belong to the class Arachnida, even minimal exposure can result in severe toxicity or death. Neem oil ( Azadirachta indica ) has been widely recognized for its acaricidal, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Its main compound, azadirachtin, interferes with mite development and reproduction, leading to reduced infestations and egg viability. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 1...

Cryptic diversity identified by DNA barcoding reveals the impact of pleistocene climate oscillations on a forest interior spider

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Cryptic diversity identified by DNA barcoding reveals the impact of pleistocene climate oscillations on a forest interior spider

Abstract

Quaternary climate oscillations significantly influenced the configuration of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. In this study, mitochondrial DNA analysis of Enoploctenus cyclothorax (Bertkau, 1880) was conducted to investigate potential cryptic diversity within populations across the state of Paraná, Brazil. Two divergent genetic lineages were identified based on genetic distances, haplotype network, and phylogenetic inference. A phylogeographical break separates the lineages into two geographic regions; one lineage is found exclusively in the eastern region and the other is found mainly in the northern and western regions of the state. The coalescence tree estimates the divergence time between 1.8 million years and 500 000 years ago, period marked by glaciation, suggesting historical forest fragmentation as a potential isolating mechanism. These findings support the hypothesis of independently evolving units within E. cyclothorax, possibly representing cryptic species, though broader sampling and integrative approaches are necessary for taxonomic validation.
Mariana Costa Terra, Antonio Domingos Brescovit, Ana Lúcia Dias, Matheus Pires Rincão, and Renata da Rosa. 2025. Cryptic diversity identified by DNA barcoding reveals the impact of pleistocene climate oscillations on a forest interior spider. Genome. 68: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1139/gen-2025-0028