First documented cases of invertebrate predation by greater grisons (Galictis vittata)

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  First documented cases of invertebrate predation by greater grisons (Galictis vittata) Abstract  We report the first documented predation of invertebrates by greater grisons (Galictis vittata) based on camera-trap footage from a mineral lick in Southeastern Peru. Two adult individuals were recorded capturing and consuming large arachnids, likely whip spiders (Amblypygi), from a natural cavity. One grison visibly removed and discarded part of the prey prior to ingestion, suggesting selective handling to reduce risk from defensive structures. These observations extend the known cavity-focused foraging behavior of G. vittata and indicate that amblypygids may represent an underreported but regular prey item in tropical habitats. Pottie, Sam, y Adrian Forsyth. 2026. «Primeros Registros Documentados De depredación De Invertebrados Por El grisón (Galictis Vittata)». Mammalogy Notes 12 (2), 608. https://doi.org/10.47603/mano.v12n2.608 .

Functional and immunological variability of Viperid venoms across continents and cross-neutralization by Peruvian antivenoms

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By Holger Krisp - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75251850

Functional and immunological variability of Viperid venoms across continents and cross-neutralization by Peruvian antivenoms

Abstract

Snake envenomation remains a significant neglected tropical disease primarily treated with antivenoms, which, despite inherent limitations, continue to be the gold standard therapy. Snake venoms exhibit extensive compositional and functional diversity, posing challenges for universal antivenom efficacy. This study comprehensively evaluated venom composition, enzymatic activities, and immunological cross-reactivity across 24 Viperidae species from diverse geographic regions. Using protein profiling, enzymatic assays (proteolytic, amidolytic, clotting, and PLA2 activities), and phylogenetic analyses, we revealed marked interspecific variation. Bothrops species exhibited elevated SVMP-driven proteolytic activity, while Crotalus venoms demonstrated more balanced enzymatic profiles. Phylogenetic clustering highlighted evolutionary divergence and functional convergence among taxa. Immunoreactivity assays with Peruvian antibothropic, anticrotalic, and antilachesic antivenoms showed broad cross-recognition within Bothrops and Crotalus venoms, but limited efficacy against more distantly related Viperinae species. Western blot analyses confirmed these specificity patterns. Neutralization assays revealed differential inhibition: antibothropic antivenom effectively neutralized proteolytic activity, whereas anticrotalic antivenom preferentially inhibited PLA2-mediated effects. This functional variability highlights the biochemical complexity of viperid venoms and the constraints of current antivenoms. Our findings emphasize the urgent need to develop improved, broadly effective antivenom formulations capable of targeting the diverse toxin profiles of geographically and phylogenetically distinct viperid species, ultimately enhancing clinical management of snakebite envenomation worldwide.


Torrejón, D., Llontop, A., Proléon, A., Lazo, F., Urra, F., Yarlequé, A., & Vivas-Ruiz, D. E. (2026). Functional and immunological variability of Viperid venoms across continents and cross-neutralization by Peruvian antivenoms. Biochimie, 240, 88-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2025.10.013