Scorpion venom as a source of new antimicrobial agents

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  Scorpion venom as a source of new antimicrobial agents Abstract The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance necessitates urgent discovery of novel therapeutic agents. Scorpion venom, a complex cocktail of bioactive molecules, has emerged as a promising reservoir of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with potent activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens. This review comprehensively examines the structural and functional diversity of scorpion-derived AMPs and their therapeutic potential. Scorpion venom AMPs exhibit remarkable structural heterogeneity. Their physicochemical properties, characterized by cationic charge, amphipathicity, and α-helical or β-sheet conformations, underpin their antimicrobial efficacy. These peptides demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity encompassing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Mechanistically, scorpion AMPs employ multifaceted strategies including membrane disruption through pore format...

New considerations about the outstanding variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and the description of one more new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite

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New considerations about the outstanding variability of the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones: Chaerilobuthidae) and the description of one more new species from Early Cretaceous Burmite

Abstract. – One more new species of fossil scorpion belonging to the genus Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 is described from Early Cretaceous Burmite. Chaerilobuthus muelleri Lourenço sp. n., represents the 15th species to be described for this genus confirming therefore the strong speciose characteristic of this group. The new species shows several clear morphological differences when compared to the previous known species, attesting the existence of a major variability within Chaerilobuthus. A list of the known species is presented, as well a number of comments on the variability of different morphological characters.

Lourenço W. R. & Velten J., 2026. – Nouvelles considérations sur la remarquable variabilité du genre Chaerilobuthus Lourenço & Beigel, 2011 (Scorpiones : Chaerilobuthidae) et description d’une nouvelle espèce de l’ambre du Crétacé inférieur de Myanmar. Faunitaxys, 14(11): 1 – 6. https://doi.org/10.57800/faunitaxys-14(11)