Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

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  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Insights into Composition and Therapeutic Applications of Scorpion Venom Peptides

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Insights into Composition and Therapeutic Applications of Scorpion Venom Peptides

Abstract

Scorpion venom molecules have a wide range of therapeutic applications for their potent efficacy and selectivity. They have the capacity to modulate various ion channels (Cl−, Ca2+, K+, and Na+), and this capability has been exploited to develop effective therapeutic agents targeting cancer cells and microbes. One of the good examples, the electrophysiological properties of voltage-gated sodium channels have been investigated through the utilization of an array of scorpion toxins. Using an assortment of peptides and protein compounds, scorpion venom has been utilized to tame prey and ward off predators. Venom peptides and proteins can cause a variety of toxicological reactions, including as discomfort, priapism, hypotension, and heart arrhythmia The ability of scorpion venoms to differentiate between vertebrate and invertebrate ion channels has made them good templates for developing potent therapeutic agents. For instance, they reveal antibacterial and anticancer characteristics, besides having cardiovascular and autoimmune disease-modulating activity. Numerous scorpion venom peptides, their interactions with ion channels, and their use as potential therapeutic agents are discussed in this brief review.
Shokhba, A., Omran, M., Abdel-Nabi, I., Nafie, M., Abdel-Rahman, M. (2025). 'Insights into Composition and Therapeutic Applications of Scorpion Venom Peptides', Advances in Environmental and Life Sciences, (), pp. -. doi: 10.21608/aels.2025.410419.1083