From Scorpion Venom to Infection Research: The Promise of Opis16a (Blog Entry)

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  Opistophthalmus carinatus , a southern African scorpion whose venom contains opistoporin 1, the parent peptide from which researchers derived the shorter antimicrobial peptide Opis16a. Credit: Dan Lee / CC0 1.0 From Scorpion Venom to Infection Research: The Promise of Opis16a A synthetic peptide inspired by a southern African scorpion’s venom shows activity against drug-resistant bacteria—but its potential as a wound treatment remains under investigation. Scorpion venom is a complex mixture of biologically active molecules. While many are studied for their effects on ion channels and the nervous system, others offer a different research opportunity: understanding how peptides can damage bacterial cells. One such candidate is Opis16a , a synthetic, 16-amino-acid fragment derived from opistoporin 1, a peptide originally isolated from the venom of Opistophthalmus carinatus . Research highlighted by Nature Africa suggests that this shortened molecule combines broad antibacterial acti...

Sexual dimorphism in bite force performance and cheliceral muscle morphology in a wandering spider (Araneae, Ctenidae)

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Sexual dimorphism in bite force performance and cheliceral muscle morphology in a wandering spider (Araneae, Ctenidae)

Abstract

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Bite force is a key performance trait in many animal taxa, directly influencing ecological and behavioral interactions such as predation, defense, and mating. In spiders, this trait could be modulated by both morphological and environmental factors, yet few studies have measured it directly. Here, we provide the first in vivo measurements of bite force in the wandering spider Phoneutria depilata and test the effects of sex, body size, diet, and predator-induced stress on bite force. We also investigate the volume and mechanical advantage of cheliceral muscles using μCT scans of male and female specimens. Our results show that females exhibit significantly higher bite forces than males, even after correcting for body size. This difference is primarily associated with sexual size dimorphism but is likely also influenced by the greater volume of specific adductor muscles (Anterior medial and Anterior medial outer). In contrast, neither dietary composition nor predator exposure had a significant impact on bite performance. These findings suggest that while environmental conditions may influence other traits, bite force in P. depilata is mainly determined by intrinsic morphological features. This study highlights the role of sexual dimorphism in shaping biomechanical traits and provides a basis for future research on functional performance in arachnids.

González-Gómez, J. C., Simone, Y., Herrel, A., Guevara, G., & F. Pérez, L. M. Sexual dimorphism in bite force performance and cheliceral muscle morphology in a wandering spider (Araneae, Ctenidae). Journal of Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzo.70106