First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae

Posted by
  First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae Abstract Flies of the genus Megaselia Rondani, 1856 exhibit exceptional ecological flexibility, with certain species acting as facultative parasites. This study presents the first documented cases of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) infesting captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae, Ceratogyrus darlingi Pocock, 1897 and Psalmopoeus irminia Saager, 1994) in terrarium settings. Our observations demonstrate that M . abdita colonise artificial habitats and exploit spider hosts similarly to Megaselia scalaris . Citation: Szymański, D.M., Szymański, D., Kłonowski, P. (2026). First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Dipteron, 42, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23137389

Combining Thiophene-Triazole Hybrids with Bothropic Antivenom to Enhance Its Inhibitory Effect Against the Coagulant Activity of Bothrops Jararaca, B. Neuwiedi, and B. Jararacussu Snake Venoms

Posted by

 

By Leandro Avelar - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49733697

Combining Thiophene-Triazole Hybrids with Bothropic Antivenom to Enhance Its Inhibitory Effect Against the Coagulant Activity of Bothrops Jararaca, B. Neuwiedi, and B. Jararacussu Snake Venoms

Abstract


Introduction:  Snakebite envenomation causes approximately 5 million incidents, 130,000 deaths, and 400,000 amputations annually worldwide. Thus, the objective of this work was to assess the ability of 16 thiophene-triazole hybrid compounds (– and –) to inhibit the coagulant activity of , , and  venoms in combination with commercial antibothropic antivenom.

Method:

In the experimental prevention protocol, human plasma or commercial fibrinogen was incubated for 60 seconds at 37°C with the study compounds, with or without antivenom, followed by the addition of snake venoms. In the treatment protocol, each venom was incubated with plasma or fibrinogens for 60 seconds at 37°C, and then the study compounds, with or without antivenom, were added to the medium. Clotting was monitored using a digital coagulometer.

Results:

The study compounds inhibited the coagulation of plasma and fibrinogen caused by  venom under both protocols, but they did not inhibit  venom under the treatment protocol. Overall, the coagulation inhibition was more effective when the study compounds were mixed with antivenom, and some compounds achieved complete prevention of venom-induced coagulation.

Discussion:

A combination of compounds with antivenom enhanced efficacy in preventing the coagulant activity of  venoms.

Conclusion:

A drug cocktail comprising the most active compounds mixed with antivenom may be a promising strategy to improve the treatment of envenomation by these snake species.


de Oliveira, B. B., Sanchez, E. F., Portella, D. P., Ferreira, V. F., de Carvalho da Silva, F., Gomes Gonzaga, D. T., & Fuly, A. L. (2026). Combining thiophene-triazole hybrids with bothropic antivenom to enhance its inhibitory effect against the coagulant activity of Bothrops jararaca, B. neuwiedi, and B. jararacussu snake venoms. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.2174/0115680266460346260318041601