From Scorpion Venom to Infection Research: The Promise of Opis16a (Blog Entry)

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  Opistophthalmus carinatus , a southern African scorpion whose venom contains opistoporin 1, the parent peptide from which researchers derived the shorter antimicrobial peptide Opis16a. Credit: Dan Lee / CC0 1.0 From Scorpion Venom to Infection Research: The Promise of Opis16a A synthetic peptide inspired by a southern African scorpion’s venom shows activity against drug-resistant bacteria—but its potential as a wound treatment remains under investigation. Scorpion venom is a complex mixture of biologically active molecules. While many are studied for their effects on ion channels and the nervous system, others offer a different research opportunity: understanding how peptides can damage bacterial cells. One such candidate is Opis16a , a synthetic, 16-amino-acid fragment derived from opistoporin 1, a peptide originally isolated from the venom of Opistophthalmus carinatus . Research highlighted by Nature Africa suggests that this shortened molecule combines broad antibacterial acti...

First record of Nesticodes rufipes (Lucas, 1846) (Araneae: Theridiidae) from Cádiz, Murcia and Madrid (Spain)

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First record of Nesticodes rufipes (Lucas, 1846) (Araneae: Theridiidae) from Cádiz, Murcia and Madrid (Spain)

Abstract 

Three new records of the allochthonous spider Nesticodes rufipes (Lucas, 1846) (Araneae: Theridiidae) are documented for Spain, for which only two previous records from the first half of the last century are available. The specimens were collected in a septic tank (Cádiz), in a sewer (Murcia) and in a private residence (Madrid). Of tropical origin, in urban environments it can find its habitat in dwellings or in sewage systems, from where it may spread. 

Resumen 

Se documentan tres nuevos registros de la araña alóctona Nesticodes rufipes (Lucas, 1846) (Araneae:
Theridiidae) para España, de la que solo se dispone de dos registros previos de la primera mitad del siglo pasado. Los ejemplares fueron recolectados en una fosa séptica (Cádiz), en alcantarillado (Murcia) y en una vivienda particular (Madrid). De origen tropical, en entornos urbanos puede encontrar su hábitat en viviendas o en alcantarillado, desde donde puede extenderse. 

Blas, R. de, Pradera, C. & Casa, G. de la (2026). Primeros registros de la araña alóctona Nesticodes rufipes (Lucas, 1846) (Araneae: Theridiidae) para Cádiz, Murcia y Madrid (España). Boletín de la Sociedad Entomologica Aragonesa 78: 119-122.