Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia

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  Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia  Abstract This review traces the historical trajectory of ophidiology (the study of snakes) and ophidism (snakebite envenoming) within the Colombian context. Despite the profound cultural and scientific significance of the human–serpent relationship in the region, the relevant literature remains fragmented, with foundational historical works neither digitized nor readily accessible. To address this, we conducted a narrative review of primary sources spanning from the pre-Colombian era to the present. Our methodology involved sourcing material from specialized libraries, historical archives, personal collections and contemporary scientific databases. The analysis identifies and contextualizes pivotal contributions across distinct historical periods, from early archeological evidence and colonial accounts to foundational eighteenth-century works and the formalized scientific studies of the last two centuries. The review cul...

Studies on spider nomenclature V: the taxonomic status of Drassus maillardii Vinson, 1863, with two new synonymies, a neotype, new combinations and a new genus (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

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Studies on spider nomenclature V: the taxonomic status of Drassus maillardii Vinson, 1863, with two new synonymies, a neotype, new combinations and a new genus (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

Abstract
A new gnaphosid genus, Sorkinius gen. nov., is described to house divergent species from East Africa, Réunion and the Seychelles. A neotype is designated for the type species, Sorkinius maillardii comb. nov. et stat. rev., formerly described as Dras sus maillardii Vinson, 1863 and previously considered a nomen dubium since 1955. Xerophaeus espoir Platnick, 1981 syn. nov. and Xerophaeus oceanicus Schmidt & Jocqué, 1983 syn. nov. are both proposed as junior synonyms of S. maillardii comb. nov. Sorkinius kibonotensis Tullgren, 1910 comb. nov. et stat. rev. is transferred to the new genus and elevated to species level from its previous parent species Xerophaeus coruscus L. Koch, 1875, with notes on its history. Sorkinius coruscus comb. nov. is itself treated as a valid and distinct species.

Sherwood, Danniella & Jocqué, Rudy & Cazanove, Grégory & Derepas, Brice. (2025). Studies on spider nomenclature V: the taxonomic status of Drassus maillardii Vinson, 1863, with two new synonymies, a neotype, new combinations and a new genus (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). Revista Ibérica de Aracnología. 47. 9-18.