A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

Clinical Case Reports on Black Krait (Bungarus niger/lividus) Neurotoxic Snakebites in Assam, Northeast India

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By Sp.herp -  CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22342896

Clinical Case Reports on Black Krait (Bungarus niger/lividus) Neurotoxic Snakebites in Assam, Northeast India

The greater black krait (Bungarus niger) and the lesser black krait (Bungarus lividus), venomous snakes of the Elapidae family, pose a significant health risk in Assam, Northeast India. However, their clinical effects remain underreported. A retrospective analysis was performed on 10 cases of envenomation attributed to B. niger/B. lividus. The patients were admitted to a rural health center and two adjacent hospitals in Assam. The victims exhibited severe neurotoxic symptoms, including ptosis, quadriplegia, respiratory muscle weakness, dysphonia, dysphagia, myalgia, and a gradual generalized neuromuscular weakening culminating in respiratory paralysis. The subjects were administered standard commercial polyvalent antivenom (PAV) targeting the “big four” snakes of India along with calcium gluconate (20 mg/kg). Standard antivenom was ineffective in reversing the established neuromuscular blockade; however, early administration of PAV before venom-induced damage to the presynaptic granules was linked to accelerated recovery in certain patients. Supportive care, including elective endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation, was critical for recovery.

Giri S, Kakati H, Taye SJ, et al. Clinical Case Reports on Black Krait (Bungarus niger/lividus) Neurotoxic Snakebites in Assam, Northeast India. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. e tpmd250472 Published online December 18, 2025. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.25-0472