Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes

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  Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes Abstract Despite the vast biodiversity of Mexican vipers, venom of endemic species has been barely studied. Here we analyzed the venom composition of three endemic species of rattlesnakes: Crotalus aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. ravus . We used quantitative chromato-mass-spectrometry and compared venoms with C. molossus , a species commonly found in North America, in a comparative and phylogenetic framework. In total, we identified 165 proteins grouped in 19 main protein families, consistent with previous reports for viperid venoms. In C. aquilus and C. triseriatus , the most predominant protein-family type was Serine Proteases, and in C. triseriatus and C. molossus it was Snake Venom Metalloproteases. The Label-free quantification revealed a high proportion of Snake Venom Metalloproteases in C. aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. molossus , reaching 28–47% of the total venom. In contrast, in ...

Natural diet, trophic niche and prey selectivity of a euryphagous bark predator, Neotama mexicana (Araneae: Hersiliidae), in a semi-urban forest of Caldas, Colombia

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Natural diet, trophic niche and prey selectivity of a euryphagous bark predator, Neotama mexicana (Araneae: Hersiliidae), in a semi-urban forest of Caldas, Colombia

Abstract

Sit-and-wait predators often exploit resources efficiently by consuming a wide range of prey. This study provides the first assessment of the natural diet and prey selectivity of the spider Neotama mexicana (Hersiliidae) in a tropical humid forest in Manizales, Colombia. Both diurnal and nocturnal surveys were conducted to document actual and potential prey. A total of 102 prey items were recorded. Although no statistically significant positive selectivity was detected at the order level, N. mexicana showed a marked tendency to consume spiders (particularly Clubiona and Anyphaenidae) and a lower tendency to feed on dipterans, hemipterans, hymenopterans, and psocopterans. These findings indicate that N. mexicana is a euryphagous predator, primarily consuming cursorial arthropods. Future studies should determine whether this feeding pattern is common among hersiliids, whether this species possesses morphological or behavioral adaptations for araneophagy, and how prey nutritional quality influences its diet.
Galvis-Cano, Y. A., Gómez, J. Á., Castro, G. R., Aceves-Aparicio, A., Robledo-Ospina, L. E., & García, L. F. (2026). Natural diet, trophic niche and prey selectivity of a euryphagous bark predator, Neotama mexicana (Araneae: Hersiliidae), in a semi-urban forest of Caldas, Colombia. Food Webs, e00438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2026.e00438