Beneath the surface: A new northern species of Trogloraptor (Araneae: Trogloraptoridae), genetic diversity and natural history

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  Beneath the surface: A new northern species of Trogloraptor (Araneae: Trogloraptoridae), genetic diversity and natural history Abstract We present a morphological description of a recently discovered species of spider in the family Trogloraptoridae from the Columbia River Gorge in northwestern Oregon. The family was previously monotypic (Trogloraptor marchingtoni) and only known from populations near the southwestern Oregon—northern California border. Trogloraptor tulishpun sp. nov. retains the key family synapomorphy, distinctive subsegmented raptorial tarsi, and an oblique membranous division of the basal segment of the anterior lateral spinnerets. Trogloraptor tulishpun is distinguished from T. marchingtoni by its color pattern, clypeal height, vulvar and palp structure. We have found T. tulishpun in four localities in the Columbia River Gorge, which show little mitochondrial sequence divergence from one another, but are highly genetically distinct from T. marchingtoni. Troglo...

Large animal models for the assessment of snakebite envenoming therapies

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Large animal models for the assessment of snakebite envenoming therapies


Abstract

Snakebite envenoming causes over 100,000 deaths annually, creating a need for more effective therapies. Traditionally, most preclinical testing relies on murine models with limited translational value. This review highlights the value of large animal models, particularly sheep and pigs, for studying venom toxicokinetics and antibody and small-molecule pharmacokinetics. Implementing clear guidelines and standardized endpoints in large-animal studies could help advance the clinical translation of new snakebite treatments.

Benard-Valle, M., Ahmadi, S., Modahl, C. M., Neri-Castro, E., Alagón, A., Boyer, L., Ljungars, A., & Laustsen, A. H. (2026). Large animal models for the assessment of snakebite envenoming therapies. Npj Drug Discovery, 3(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44386-026-00043-8