Ovophis tonkinensis envenoming presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis: A case report

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  Image Credit: iNaturalist (c) randall_f –  some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) Ovophis tonkinensis envenoming presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis: A case report Abstract Pit viper envenoming commonly causes venom-induced consumption coagulopathy with hypofibrinogenaemia. However, isolated thrombocytopenia without fibrinogen depletion is less recognised and may alter transfusion strategy. We report a confirmed  Ovophis tonkinensis  bite from northern Vietnam presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis. The case highlights the importance of serial platelet monitoring, awareness of fibrinogen availability and appropriate timing of antivenom and platelet support in resource-limited tropical settings. Duc ND, Hong Anh LN, Hong Khanh LN, Bach ND. Ovophis tonkinensis envenoming presenting with severe isolated thrombocytopenia and local necrosis: A case report. Tropical Doctor . 2026;0(0). doi: 10.1177/00494755261435153

Phylogenetic classification of poorly known Crassignatha spiders (Araneae, Symphytognathidae), with descriptions of four new species

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Phylogenetic classification of poorly known Crassignatha spiders (Araneae, Symphytognathidae), with descriptions of four new species

Abstract

The genus Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995, represents the second most species-rich lineage within the spider family Symphytognathidae. Members of the genus are predominantly distributed in southwestern China and Southeast Asia, with the exception of C.kishidai (Shinkai, 2009), which is recorded from Japan. Historically, the circumscription and diagnosis of Crassignatha have remained ambiguous, and its monophyly has not yet been rigorously tested. In this study, we conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data from five genetic markers (16S, 18S, 28S, H3, and a fragment of COI) to evaluate the monophyletic status of the genus. Sequences were obtained from 21 species of Crassignatha (ingroup), along with two species of Kirinua Li & Lin, 2021, and one species of Patu Marples, 1951, as the outgroup. The results support the monophyly of Crassignatha and confirm the taxonomic validity of the 21 included species. Five species of Crassignatha belonging to Symphytognathidae are reported from the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, four of which are newly described: C. hekou Wu & Lin, sp. nov. (♂♀), C. qingxu Wu & Lin, sp. nov. (♂♀), C. liangdu Wu & Lin, sp. nov. (♂♀), and C. panlong Wu & Lin, sp. nov. (♂♀). Additionally, a new distribution record outside the type locality is provided for the previously known species C. shunani Lin & S. Q. Li, 2020 (♂♀). Detailed diagnoses, descriptions, and illustrations are provided for all newly described species. The geographic distribution of Crassignatha is also discussed.

Wu H, Lin Y (2026) Phylogenetic classification of poorly known Crassignatha spiders (Araneae, Symphytognathidae), with descriptions of four new species. Zoosystematics and Evolution 102(1): 159-179. https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.165834