Strengthening essential medicines policy to improve antivenom availability and affordability for snakebite envenomation in rural sub-Saharan Africa

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  Strengthening essential medicines policy to improve antivenom availability and affordability for snakebite envenomation in rural sub-Saharan Africa Abstract Snakebite envenomation remains a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) globally and in most sub-Saharan African countries; however, it causes the majority of morbidities, disabilities, and mortalities, affecting mostly the rural population who engage in agriculture, pastoralism, and hunting. Despite the inclusion of antivenom in the World Health Organization (WHO) Essential Medicines List, access to and affordability of safe and effective antivenom in rural areas in most sub-Saharan countries remain severely constrained by higher cost, a fragile supply chain, and policy implementation gaps. Consequently, preventable snakebite-related morbidities, mortalities, and disabilities persist in rural areas with higher incidences of snakebites. Therefore, this article examines the epidemiological burden of snakebite envenomation in rural a...

Taxonomic revision of Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), with insights into secondary spermathecae in Salticidae and coupling pocket homology in Freyina

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Taxonomic revision of Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), with insights into secondary spermathecae in Salticidae and coupling pocket homology in Freyina

Abstract

The genus Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 is revised. Akela scaloneta Rubio, Baigorria & Stolar, 2023 is synonymized with Evophrys melanoleucus Mello-Leitão, 1944. Akela zinha Ruiz & Bustamante sp. nov. from Brazil is described based on both sexes. New records are also given for A. ruricola Galiano, 1999. After this revision, the genus is composed of four Neotropical species, plus one misplaced species from Pakistan, not treated herein. Variation in colour patterns and the morphology of epigynes within the genus is discussed. The position of secondary spermathecae is also discussed and compared throughout the Salticidae. The homology of epigynal coupling pockets within Freyina is also discussed.
Ruiz, G. R., Marta, K. S., Hagopián, D., & Bustamante, A. A. (2026). Taxonomic revision of Akela Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae: Freyina), with insights into secondary spermathecae in Salticidae and coupling pocket homology in Freyina. Zoologischer Anzeiger. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2026.05.011