What’s a Spider? Designation of the Neotype for the First Animal Species Ever Described, Araneus angulatus Clerck 1757 (Araneae: Araneidae)

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  What’s a Spider? Designation of the Neotype for the First Animal Species Ever Described, Araneus angulatus Clerck 1757 (Araneae: Araneidae) Abstract We designate a neotype for the Eurasian spider species Araneus angulatus Clerck, 1757, thereby fixing the objective application of the species name, the genus name Araneus Clerck 1757, the family name Araneidae Clerck 1757, and the superfamily name Araneoidea Clerck 1757. By etymology and arachnological tradition, it also unofficially fixes the application of the ordinal name Araneae Clerck 1757 and thus answers the uncontroversial question, “What’s a spider?” A. angulatus also happens to be historically the first animal species ever described because Clerck (1757) has priority over Linnaeus (1758). Neotype designation is justified for three reasons: the syntypes of A. angulatus are lost; “ A. angulatus ” contains significant COI sequence divergence, potentially representing intraspecific variation, misidentifications, or as many...

Clinical Manifestations and Management of Androctonus bicolor Envenomation in a Dog: A Previously Undescribed Clinical Case

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Clinical Manifestations and Management of Androctonus bicolor Envenomation in a Dog: A Previously Undescribed Clinical Case

Abstract

The black fat tailed scorpion (Androctonus bicolor) is one of the most venomous native scorpion species in Israel. Its venom induces widespread autonomic overstimulation, resulting in severe cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuromuscular manifestations. Veterinary scorpion envenomation reports are scarce, and Canine Androctonus bicolor envenomation remains undocumented in the literature. A 10-year-old male dog was presented three hrs. following a witnessed Androctonus bicolor envenomation. Immediate clinical signs included dyspnea, hypersalivation, and collapse. The scorpion was identified by the Israeli Nature and Parks Authority. On presentation, the dog was non-ambulatory, and tachypneic. A small puncture wound was observed over the right hind paw. Immediate treatment included analgesia, antihistamine, and intravenous fluids. The dog developed nystagmus, muscle spasms, and generalized hypertonicity with tachycardia and high systolic blood pressure. Midazolam and phenobarbital were required to achieve muscle relaxation. Three days post admission the dog presented marked clinical improvement and was discharged, however, five days after discharge, the dog was re-presented with tremors, inappetence, hematochezia, hyperthermia, mild tachycardia with occasional ventricular premature complexes, and labored breathing. Bloodwork revealed an elevated C-reactive protein concentration and mild increased pancreatic lipase activity, consistent with systemic inflammation and mild pancreatitis. Supportive therapy was instituted, and clinical improvement was observed within 24 hours from the second admission. The dog was discharged and remained well. This is the first documented case of Androctonus bicolor envenomation in a dog. It highlights the prominent neurological and autonomic manifestations associated with this species in a canine patient, and importantly, identifies concurrent pancreatitis as a newly recognized potential sequela in veterinary patients.
Hefer, S., Weingram, T., & Klainbart, S. (2026). Clinical Manifestations and Management of Androctonus bicolor Envenomation in a Dog: A Previously Undescribed Clinical Case. Toxicon, 109188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109188