Differential Hematotoxic Activity of Southeast Asian Pit Viper Venoms: The Cross-Neutralizing Effect of Available Antivenoms

Posted by
  Image Credit: Creative Commons (some rights reserved) CC BY-NC Photo 111998430, (c) Nicholas Hess Differential Hematotoxic Activity of Southeast Asian Pit Viper Venoms: The Cross-Neutralizing Effect of Available Antivenoms Abstract Background/Objectives : Pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae) are responsible for a large proportion of snakebite envenoming cases in Southeast Asia. Envenomation by these snakes commonly causes hematotoxic effects, including platelet dysfunction and coagulation disturbances. Although antivenom remains the mainstay of treatment, species-specific antivenoms are not available for several regional pit viper species. This study evaluated the hematotoxic activities of selected Southeast Asian pit viper venoms and the cross-neutralizing capacity of commercially available antivenoms.  Methods : Venoms from five medically important pit viper species— Calloselasma rhodostoma ,  Trimeresurus albolabris ,  T. hageni ,  T. purpureomaculatus , ...

Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia

Posted by

 


Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia

Abstract

Tarantulas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by regulating insect populations. However, little is known about the soil preferences and burrow structures of tarantulas in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the soil preference as well as the burrow structure of Coremiocnemis cunciularia and Chilobrachys andersoni from Penang Island. The soil characteristics of the soil samples collected around the burrows of Coremiocnemis cunciularia (n = 30) and Chilobrachys andersoni (n = 30) were determined using soil texture analysis. The measurements and burrow structures from adults and juveniles of Coremiocnemis cunciularia and Chilobrachys andersoni were determined. It was revealed that the moisture content and clay percentage in the soil samples around burrows of Chilobrachys andersoni and Coremiocnemis cunicularia were significantly different. Meanwhile, there is some variation in the structure and measurements of the burrows of the two tarantula species. The findings in this study could be useful for the conservation works and habitat management of tarantulas on Penang Island.

Razak, I., Shukor, M., Muhammad Nasir, D. ., Wahab, A. Z., Chai, M. H., & Amirrudin Ahmad. (2026). Soil Preference and Burrow Characteristics of Two Theraphosidae Species in Penang Island, Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Science (MJS), 45(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.22452/mjs.vol45no1.1