First record of Thaumasia Perty, 1833 nursery web spider (Araneae: Pisauridae) preying upon Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in the Neotropical region

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  First record of Thaumasia Perty, 1833 nursery web spider (Araneae: Pisauridae) preying upon Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in the Neotropical region Abstract Thaumasia Perty, 1833 are opportunistic spiders that inhabit the Neotropical region. This study reports a spider of the genus Thaumasia preying upon Polistes canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) in semiarid region of Brazil. A spider of the genus Thaumasia was observed moving rapidly from the fountain's water surface to capture an individual of P. canadensis . After successfully capturing the wasp, Thaumasia sp. was observed partially perched on the wall of the fountain, with the prey still on the water surface and trapped by its chelicerae. The pedipalps and chelicerae of Thaumasia sp. manipulated the head of P. canadensis , which stopped moving shortly after being captured, probably because of the action of the spider's venom. The study records a wasp in the diet of Thaumasia based on the ca...

Severe Viper Envenomation: A Case Report From Portugal

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Severe Viper Envenomation: A Case Report From Portugal

Abstract

Snakebite envenomation is uncommon in Portugal but may lead to significant morbidity when systemic toxicity develops. We report a case of a 57-year-old woman who presented with hypotension, progressive limb edema, and venom-induced coagulopathy following a viper bite. The progression of edema, together with systemic toxicity, prompted early antivenom administration and transfer to an intermediate care unit, with a second dose required in response to persistent edema. Supportive management included fluid resuscitation, limb elevation, and empirical antibiotic therapy for persistent fever. The patient showed progressive clinical and laboratory improvement, ultimately achieving full recovery. This case underscores the importance of early recognition of systemic toxicity and timely antivenom therapy to prevent severe complications associated with viper envenomation.

Vitó Madureira B, Prucha Leite N, Costa D, et al. (January 23, 2026) Severe Viper Envenomation: A Case Report From Portugal. Cureus 18(1): e102157. doi:10.7759/cureus.102157