Taxonomy Takes Time: Shortcuts to Synonymy

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  Taxonomy Takes Time: Shortcuts to Synonymy Abstract Taxonomy is the foundation of biology, providing the currency (species) for biological studies and the handle (epithet) to refer to them. The task at hand is urgent: a race against extinction as most species remain undescribed and expertise declines. In response, various ‘rapid taxonomy’ approaches aim to hasten descriptions. Good examples exist that genuinely accelerate the growth of taxonomic knowledge, but shortcuts risk errors that may take more time to resolve than the original work took to produce. Authors must consider (1) the total time budget, including subsequent revisions necessitated by inadequate taxonomy; (2) the taxonomic literature on regional and widespread taxa; and (3) illustration quality as a critical and enduring component of species description. Reviewers and editors must also ensure minimum standards. I discuss a recent example where shortcuts, instead of accelerating taxonomy, merely borrowed time. Anelo...

Exploring the Pain-Relieving Potential: Unveiling Antinociceptive Properties in Animal Venoms and Toxins

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Exploring the Pain-Relieving Potential: Unveiling Antinociceptive Properties in Animal Venoms and Toxins

Abstract

Currently, commercially available pain medications can cause adverse effects. Within this framework, researchers have been exploring new drug candidates derived from animal venoms and toxins. The objective of this study was to investigate the number of molecules with potential for pain relief derived from animal venoms and toxins, which could potentially contribute to the development of new biopharmaceuticals. We conducted a literature search in January 2025, covering the period from 1960 to 2025, in two Latin American and nine international scientific databases. The results consisted of 212 articles selected for review. From these articles, 152 toxins and venoms with analgesic potential were identified and classified into 14 different types of pharmacological targets. The peptides investigated, with masses between 500 Da and 5000 Da, are strong candidates for alternative biopharmaceuticals. Most of the toxins found interact with ion channels, representing an alternative to commercially available drugs.

Angstmam, D. G., Jeronimo, B. C., Cavalcante, J. D., Pereira, A. F., Villarreal, C. F., Pimenta, D. C., & Ferreira Junior, R. S. (2026). Exploring the Pain-Relieving Potential: Unveiling Antinociceptive Properties in Animal Venoms and Toxins. Toxins, 18(2), 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18020069