A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

Neurotoxicity Screening of Venom Components from the Philippine Cave Tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos

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Neurotoxicity Screening of Venom Components from the Philippine Cave Tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos

Abstract
We report the neurotoxicity of venom components of a cave-dwelling tarantula from the genus Orphnaecus, collected from an island in the eastern part of Luzon, Philippines. The neurotoxicity of the HPLC fractions of the venom extracted from the Philippine tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos was assessed based on their effects on the swimming behavior of zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae and by observing larval swimming patterns. Our results show that several fractions of the spider venom altered the swimming behavior and patterns of the larvae, indicating that they are neurotoxic. Both paralysis and seizure hyperactivity were observed in larvae exposed to Fractions 2 and 3. Only seizure was observed in zebrafish larvae exposed to Fraction 7. These results suggest that several fractions of the O. kwebaburdeos venom contain neurotoxic components. The observed neurotoxic phenotypes may be caused by the different neurotoxic components which can further be studied.

Guevarra Jr, Leonardo & Ramones, Cydee Marie & Santiago, Myla & Dalmacio, Leslie Michelle. (2025). Neurotoxicity Screening of Venom Components from the Philippine Cave Tarantula Orphnaecus kwebaburdeos. Acta Manilana. 73. 102-112. 10.53603/actamanil.73.2025.usfp7492.