Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes

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  Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes Abstract Despite the vast biodiversity of Mexican vipers, venom of endemic species has been barely studied. Here we analyzed the venom composition of three endemic species of rattlesnakes: Crotalus aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. ravus . We used quantitative chromato-mass-spectrometry and compared venoms with C. molossus , a species commonly found in North America, in a comparative and phylogenetic framework. In total, we identified 165 proteins grouped in 19 main protein families, consistent with previous reports for viperid venoms. In C. aquilus and C. triseriatus , the most predominant protein-family type was Serine Proteases, and in C. triseriatus and C. molossus it was Snake Venom Metalloproteases. The Label-free quantification revealed a high proportion of Snake Venom Metalloproteases in C. aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. molossus , reaching 28–47% of the total venom. In contrast, in ...

New contributions to the genus Harpactea Bristowe, from the Aegean region of Turkey (Araneae: Dysderidae: Harpacteinae)

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New contributions to the genus Harpactea Bristowe, from the Aegean region of Turkey (Araneae: Dysderidae: Harpacteinae)

ABSTRACT

Five new Harpactea species, H. ataturi sp. n. (♂), H. budaki sp. n. (♂♀), H. kesdeki sp. n. (♂♀), H. magnifica sp. n. (♂♀) and H. saki sp. n. (♂♀), are described from the Aegean region of Turkey. The type locality of H. ataturi is İzmir; H. budaki and H. magnifica are from Aydın; H. kesdeki is from Denizli; and H. saki is from Balıkesir. Harpactea kesdeki was recorded only from its type locality and Muğla province, which is also in the Aegean region. The general morphology of the male copulatory organ of H. ataturi resembles that of H. spirembolus, known from the island of Chios, and the female copulatory organ of H. kesdeki resembles that of H. dianae, distributed in Iraklia, one of the Greek islands. The male copulatory organ in H. magnifica resembles that of the Bulgarian endemic species H. konradi. However, the bifurcated median apophysis at the tip of H. magnifica makes it unique. A morphological characteristic of the tegulum of H. saki is also found in H. vagabunda, whose distribution is restricted to Azerbaijan. All new species described in the paper are considered to belong to the rubicunda species group due to the morphological characteristics of the copulatory organs and some other somatic characteristics.

Kunt, K. B., Danışman, T., & Yağmur, E. A. (2026). New contributions to the genus Harpactea Bristowe, from the Aegean region of Turkey (Araneae: Dysderidae: Harpacteinae). Journal of Natural History, 60(9–12), 637–656. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2620575