Distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of Heterometrus laoticus and Lychas mucronatus scorpion venoms on cardiovascular and renal functions

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  Distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of Heterometrus laoticus and Lychas mucronatus scorpion venoms on cardiovascular and renal functions Abstract Background:    Heterometrus laoticus and Lychas mucronatus are widely distributed in Southeast Asia, yet their pathophysiological effects of both venoms remain poorly characterized due to low human fatality rates. This study compared their venom compositions and acute cardiovascular and renal effects. Methods:   Anesthetized male New Zealand White rabbits were monitored for blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and renal clearance following intravenous administration of crude venom (0.5 mg/kg). Venom components were identified via LC-MS/MS, and hematological/biochemical parameters were assessed. Results:    H. laoticus venom induced a rapid, transient hypotension ( p < 0.05), followed by a mild, prolonged hypotensive phase (up to 120 min). Conversely, L. mucronatus venom elicited a biphasic response: ...

Reidentification of historical specimens assigned to Cupiennius oculifer (Karsch, 1879) (Araneae: Trechaleidae)

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Reidentification of historical specimens assigned to Cupiennius oculifer (Karsch, 1879) (Araneae: Trechaleidae)

Karsch (1879) described Phoneutria oculifera based on a single female from Mexico, without precise locality data. The description of this species appeared as a footnote, as the broader paper was on African spiders. Karsch (1879: 350) compares P. oculifera to “Phoneutria Saléi” [= Cupiennius salei (Keyserling, 1877)] and the short text description is accompanied by a single sketch of the epigyne ventrally (Fig. 1F; Karsch, 1879: fig. 2). The species remained valid for some time, but F. O. Pickard-Cambridge (1897: 63) expressed doubt on its generic placement, stating: “Whether this form really belongs to the group to which Simon gave the name Cupiennius I cannot say. One would think probably not. The form of the vulva resembles very closely that of Lycoctenus bogotensis (Keys.) [now Ancylometes Bertkau, 1880] and L. brunneus, sp. n., but as Karsch makes no mention of the number of tarsal claws, it is impossible to say for certain. In any case It does not belong to the genus Phoneutria”. Petrunkevitch (1911: 479) may have used these remarks to justify his synonymy of P. oculifera with C. salei, which was not explained explicitly in his work. Petrunkevitch’s synonymy was subsequently accepted by Roewer (1942) and Bonnet (1956) and in total was maintained for nearly 75 years.

Sherwood, D., Cobo, S.A., Dunlop, J.A., Tsavalas, A.T., Geci, D., Lucas, S.M. & Brescovit, A.D. (2025) Reidentification of historical specimens assigned to Cupiennius oculifer (Karsch, 1879) (Araneae: Trechaleidae). Zootaxa, 5723 (1), 138–142. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.1.8