The faunistic diversity of the spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of the Waterberg District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

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  The faunistic diversity of the spiders ( Arachnida , Araneae ) of the Waterberg District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa Abstract The South African National Survey of Arachnida ( SANSA ) has conducted surveys in the Waterberg District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa, over more than 40 years. The first annotated checklist for the Waterberg District is provided here, along with the global distributions, endemicity and conservation assessments for each species, as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) criteria. A total of 54 families, 292 genera and 600 species were recorded. The study highlights species of special conservation concern, as well as the nine species endemic to the Waterberg District. Salticidae (95 species), followed by Thomisidae (80 species), Araneidae (53 species) and Gnaphosidae (48 species), are the most species-rich families. In contrast, single species represent 14 families. Most species (546; 91.2%) are widely distr...

The bioprospecting potential of insect venoms as antibiotics: a mini review

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The bioprospecting potential of insect venoms as antibiotics: a mini review

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for new antibiotic candidates from unconventional biological sources. Insect venoms, although underexplored compared to other venomous taxa, harbor a chemically diverse array of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with significant therapeutic promises. This mini review synthesizes evidence from 15 original studies published over the past 15 years that examined the antimicrobial potential of insect venom components. Most investigations have focused on Hymenoptera—wasps, bees, and ants—where peptides such as mastoparans, polydim-I, macropin, melectin, and panurgines that exhibit broad-spectrum activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria while maintaining low toxicity toward mammalian cells. Collectively, these findings highlight insect venoms as a promising resource for antibiotic discovery. Nevertheless, critical challenges remain regarding peptide stability, delivery, pharmacokinetics, and clinical validation. Addressing these gaps through integrative approaches combining molecular, computational, and translational research will be key to advancing insect venom peptides as next-generation anti-infective agents.

Riva, H. G., & R., A. (2025). The bioprospecting potential of insect venoms as antibiotics: A mini review. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16, 1729786. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1729786