Snake Venom and Antivenom Pharmacology

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  SNAKE VENOM & ANTIVENOM Chemistry, Composition, Mechanisms and Pharmacology Abstract This integrated teaching session for Phase III MBBS students focused on the pharmacology and toxicology of snake venom and the principles of antivenom therapy. The lecture covered the chemistry, composition, mechanisms of action, and pharmacological effects of snake venoms and antivenoms. Rational use of antivenoms, indications, administration protocols, adverse reactions, and supportive management strategies were discussed. The session also highlighted the translational importance of venom-derived compounds in modern drug development. Recent advances in antivenom research, including recombinant human monoclonal antibodies, toxin-specific inhibitors, synthetic antibody technologies, and next-generation broad-spectrum antivenoms, were reviewed. Current discoveries and emerging approaches aimed at improving efficacy, safety, affordability, and accessibility of antivenom therapy were also explor...

Spider taxonomy: A historical and global perspective

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Spider taxonomy: A historical and global perspective

Using comprehensive records from the World Spider Catalog, this study presents an in-depth, data-driven analysis of global trends in spider taxonomy, revealing an exceptional acceleration during the first quarter of the 21st century. Of the more than 53 000 extant spider species described since 1757, 19 159—approximately 36%—were described during the last 25 years. In 59 families, the number of new species described during this period exceeded the total accumulated over the entire 20th century. Asia emerged as the leading continental hotspot for spider discovery, with China at the forefront. The number of species described in China during the 25-year window was 1.5 times greater than the combined total documented over the preceding 243 years, with Chinese arachnologists responsible for 23.9% of all new species described in the last 25 years. Three taxonomists—Eugène Simon, Norman Platnick, and Shu-Qiang Li—rank as the most prolific contributors to spider systematics in history. These findings reflect a shift in the global center of arachnological research and underscore the growing scientific output from China. Patterns were examined from three complementary angles: temporal acceleration in species descriptions, individual contributions of leading taxonomists, and the emergence of Chinese arachnology as a dominant force in global taxonomy. Our analysis also emphasizes the critical role of sustained international collaboration in advancing biodiversity discovery.

Xiao-Qing Zhang, Xin-Yu Li, Yuri M. Marusik, Mei-Chen Yan, Rui-Han Yang, Ya-Xuan Zhang, Fan-Yu Bu, Yu Ding, Ming-Yue Wang, Zhi-Yuan Yao. 2025. Spider taxonomy: A historical and global perspective. Zoological Research, 46(6): 1387-1395. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.229