Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

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  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Oral Acute Toxicity and Genotoxicity of Heteroctenus junceus Scorpion Venom

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Oral Acute Toxicity and Genotoxicity of Heteroctenus junceus Scorpion Venom

ABSTRACT

Objective

The study evaluates the elemental composition, oral acute toxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenic potential of Heteroctenus junceus scorpion venom.

Methods

The elemental composition was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and HPLC-MS/MS. The acute oral toxicity test was assessed in mice at 300 and 2000 mg/kg. The in vivo micronucleus test was conducted in mice treated with three scorpion venom doses (10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg). Meanwhile, the in vitro micronucleus test was conducted in TK6 cells treated with three scorpion venom doses (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL). The Ames test followed the OECD guidelines, and various scorpion venom concentrations (0.16, 0.32, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/mL) were used.

Results

The elemental analysis of scorpion venom reveals the lowest amino acid and elemental composition levels compared to other species. An LD50 value greater than 2000 mg/kg was obtained in the oral acute toxicity test with transient pathophysiological effects in the liver, lung, and kidney at 300 and 2000 mg/kg. The in vitro micronucleus test showed that the negative control and scorpion venom concentrations did not induce micronuclei in TK6 cells. Meanwhile, the in vivo micronucleus test showed an increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and a dose-dependent decrease in erythrocyte count only at doses higher than 100 mg/kg. The Ames reverse mutation test did not show an increase in revertant colonies in the scorpion venom-treated groups compared to the negative control.

Conclusions

H. junceus venom has a low toxicological potential.

Díaz-García, A., Ruiz-Fuentes, J. L., Medina, S. M., Guajardo, N. Z., & Skarneo, C. R. (2026). Oral Acute Toxicity and Genotoxicity of Heteroctenus junceus Scorpion Venom. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 12(2), e70872. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70872