Passive transponder implantation in Theraphosidae: A tool for traceability and conservation

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  Passive transponder implantation in Theraphosidae: A tool for traceability and conservation Abstract Illegal wildlife trade represents a major global threat to biodiversity, with tarantulas among the most heavily trafficked invertebrate groups due to increasing demand in the international pet market, highlighting the urgent need for effective regulatory frameworks and reliable specimen-level traceability systems to distinguish legally bred individuals from illegally sourced ones. Individual identification is essential to support legal trade, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and reduce illegal trafficking; therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility and safety of passive integrated transponder microchip (PIT TAG) implantation for individual identification in multiple tarantula species under controlled laboratory conditions. Post-implantation parameters assessed included anaesthesia recovery time, feeding behaviour, ecdysis frequency, PIT TAG retention across successive moults...

Preliminary evaluation of a monovalent antivenom targeting Cerastes cerastes envenomation in North Africa: feasibility and specificity assessment

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Preliminary evaluation of a monovalent antivenom targeting Cerastes cerastes envenomation in North Africa: feasibility and specificity assessment

Abstract

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized snakebite envenomation as a neglected disease yet the therapeutic effectiveness efficacy of available antivenoms remains insufficiently explored. This study offers a detailed analysis of Cerastes cerastes venom, focusing its toxicological properties and the development of specific targeted neutralizing antibodies. Through rigorous quality control and comprehensive efficacy testing, the antivenom demonstrated significant neutralizing activity against critical venom components, including hemorrhagic, edema-forming, and myotoxic effects while also mitigating tissue damage. Histological investigations further corroborated the antivenom’s protective capacity. These findings not only underscore the potential of the developed antivenom for clinical use but also provide essential insights for advancing antivenom production, refining its specificity, and enhancing its therapeutic efficacy in managing snake envenomations.

Mesmoudi, N., Chakir, S., Ammouch, K., Chahir, R., Aassila, H., Moustaghfir, A., Karkouri, M., & Oukkache, N. (2026). Preliminary evaluation of a monovalent antivenom targeting Cerastes cerastes envenomation in North Africa: Feasibility and specificity assessment. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 17, 1719611. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2026.1719611