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

Posted by
  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...

Phrynus abstrusus : a new troglophilous whip spider (Amblypygi, Phrynidae) from southern Texas (American Museum novitates no. 4050)

Posted by

 


Phrynus abstrusus : a new troglophilous whip spider (Amblypygi, Phrynidae) from southern Texas (American Museum novitates no. 4050)

Abstract

The arachnid order Amblypygi Thorell, 1883, currently comprises 299 described species in 18 genera and five families, a surprisingly low diversity compared to other globally distributed arachnid orders. The genus Phrynus Lamarck, 1801, the most speciose genus of the Neotropical family Phrynidae Blanchard, 1852, is one of several amblypygid genera that contain much undescribed diversity. For example, its type species, Phrynus operculatus Pocock, 1902, allegedly distributed from southern Texas to Guatemala, appears to represent a complex of more range-restricted cryptic species. Existing records suggest a disjunction in the distribution of P. operculatus, with the Texan population separated from Mexican populations by considerable distance and a potential barrier of unsuitable desert habitat. The recent collection and examination of new material from the Big Bend area of southern Texas revealed that the Texan population is not conspecific with typical P. operculatus material from Mexico and Central America. It differs from the latter in being almost entirely depigmented and is the third troglomorphic species of Phrynus. The morphology and habitat of this unusual troglophilous species, named Phrynus abstrusus, sp. nov., are described herein.

Cazzaniga, Nicolas, Prendini, Lorenzo. (2026). Phrynus abstrusus: A new troglophilous whip spider (Amblypygi, Phrynidae) from southern Texas (American Museum Novitates No. 4050). American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved from https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/items/112d8b7c-04ba-4474-aeb6-943782ffd690