Scorpio basraensis sp. n. from southern Iraq (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)

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  Scorpio basraensis sp. n. from southern Iraq (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) Abstract A new scorpion species, Scorpio basraensis sp. n. , is described and illustrated from Basra Province, southern Iraq. Scorpio basraensis sp. n. is compared with all known species of the genus Scorpio Linnaeus, 1758 occurring in countries surrounding Iraq. The new species can be distinguished by the circular genital operculum in males and the cordiform genital operculum in females (not posteriorly elongated), a densely hirsute body, appendages and metasoma, a distinctly elongated telson vesicle, discrete granules on the external surface of the chela manus that are not flattened, and pectinal tooth counts of 11–13 in males and 9–11 in females. With the description of this species, the number of scorpion species known from Iraq increases to 22, whereas the number of recognized species in the genus Scorpio reaches 33. Yağmur, Ersen A.; Makki, Jafar A.; and Najim, Shurooq A. (2026) " Scorpio basraen...

Proteomic analysis of snake venom obtained from Naja melanoleuca in Ghana

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Proteomic analysis of snake venom obtained from Naja melanoleuca in Ghana

Abstract

The venom of most poisonous snakes consists of active proteins that are responsible for most of the lethal effects of snakebite envenomation. To guide the development of targeted antivenom, a deeper understanding of venom compositions is necessary. This study aimed to characterize and analyse the protein composition and evaluate the lethality of Naja melanoleuca venom obtained from Ghana. Crude venom was collected, lyophilized and the protein concentration quantified using the Bradford Assay. The protein profile and molecular weight distribution of the venom were evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), while reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-MS) was employed to separate protein fractions and to determine intact protein masses. The venom toxicity was assessed by determining the median lethal dose (LD50) in mice using the probit regression method. The protein concentration of the venom was 2.917 mg/ml, while the SDS-PAGE analysis showed protein bands with estimated molecular weights ranging from 10.98 kDa to 122.53 kDa. The relative abundance of the protein bands from LC-MS suggested that low molecular weight proteins dominated in the venom. The average LD50 of the venom was 1.17 mg/kg within the range of 0.50–1.84 mg/kg, which confirmed its high toxicity. This study provided one of the first proteomic datasets describing Ghanaian Naja melanoleuca venom with baseline information on its protein composition and toxicity. These findings laid the foundation for future proteomic, pharmacological and toxicological investigations in developing antivenoms for improved snakebite management locally.
Firempong, C. K., Etsey, M., Akanfah, C. A., Nsiah, F., Nyamekye, E. N. P., Dogbe, R. E., Ofosu, V., Mensah, Y. Y., Addae, R. K., & Domfeh, S. A. (2026). Proteomic analysis of snake venom obtained from Naja melanoleuca in Ghana. Journal of Chromatography B, 125240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2026.125240