The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides

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  The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides Abstract Mesobuthus martensii , the source species of the traditional Chinese medicine “Quanxie”, has long been utilized for its therapeutic properties. Venom peptides are recognized as the major active molecular basis of these pharmacological activities. Despite this, their development as therapeutic agents remains poorly explored. In this study, we performed an integrated multi-omics investigation to systematically explore the venom peptides of Mesobuthus martensii . We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of Mesobuthus martensii using third-generation sequencing technologies, yielding a genome size of 1.08 Gb with a contig N50 of 46.46 Mb. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses led to the identification of 51 putative novel venom peptide candidates. From the broader venom peptide set, five lysine- and arginine-rich candidates were select...

Delayed Cannibalism in the Litter-Dwelling Scorpion Mesotityus pusillus (Pocock, 1893) (Scorpiones, Buthidae): Evaluating Kin Recognition as a Possible Explanation

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Delayed Cannibalism in the Litter-Dwelling Scorpion Mesotityus pusillus (Pocock, 1893) (Scorpiones, Buthidae): Evaluating Kin Recognition as a Possible Explanation

Abstract

The small size and limited defensive capacity are factors responsible for the high mortality of juveniles. Thus, offspring recognition is an important trait for juvenile survival, especially in generalist predators. In this study, we investigated aspects related to offspring discrimination in females of the scorpion Mesotityus pusillus. A total of 172 juveniles from 32 females were divided into two groups: females with their own offspring and females with unrelated juveniles. Predation events were recorded daily for 20 days. Predation occurrence and the proportion of juveniles consumed did not differ significantly between groups. Females with their own offspring tended to take longer to initiate predation than females exposed to unrelated juveniles, although this difference was not statistically significant. Our results reveal differences in the timing of cannibalistic behavior without providing clear evidence for consistent avoidance of cannibalism. While kin recognition cannot be excluded as a possible explanation, alternative mechanisms, such as familiarity, prior association, or environmental cues, may also contribute. These findings highlight a potential role of temporal offspring discrimination in shaping cannibalistic behavior, which may influence juvenile survival and reproductive success in M. pusillus.

Rodríguez-Medina, L.S., de Araujo Lira, A.F. & Pordeus, L.M. Delayed Cannibalism in the Litter-Dwelling Scorpion Mesotityus pusillus (Pocock, 1893) (Scorpiones, Buthidae): Evaluating Kin Recognition as a Possible Explanation. J Insect Behav 39, 20 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10905-026-09915-3