Letter: Description of Two Cases of Spider Bites Attributed to Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Albania

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  Letter: Description of Two Cases of Spider Bites Attributed to Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae, Sicariidae) in Albania Fewer than 0.5% of spider species are medically significant, with the genus  Loxosceles  responsible for most dermonecrotic envenomings. 1 , 2  In the Mediterranean,  Loxosceles rufescens  is the primary species associated with loxoscelism. 2  This synanthropic spider thrives in human dwellings, typically biting only when inadvertently provoked. 1 , 3 , 4  Its venom, containing sphingomyelinase D, triggers local inflammation and necrosis, 1 , 5  and rarer the acute localized exanthematous pustulosis. 6  Diagnosis is often challenged by initial painlessness, leading to frequent misidentification as bacterial infections. 2 , 4 , 5  These cases in Albania highlight the need for improved clinical recognition of regional spider-bite occurrences. 7 Two cases were retrospectively documented via interviews and photos. Infor...

A Checklist and Local Names Designation for Thai Scorpions (Scorpiones)

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A Checklist and Local Names Designation for Thai Scorpions (Scorpiones)

The checklist of the Thai scorpions is provided with their local names in Thai. The list comprises 42 species of scorpions belonging to five families: Buthidae Koch, 1837; Chaerilidae Pocock, 1893; Hormuridae Laurie, 1896; Scorpionidae Latreille, 1802; and Scorpiopidae Kraepelin, 1905. The genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 is represented by the highest number of species, with 22 species, while the three with the lowest number of species are Javanimetrus Couzijn, 1978; Isometrus Ehrenberg, 1828; and Thaicharmus Kovařík, 1995, each consisting of only one species at present. The subdivision map of Thailand and photographs of scorpions representing their own genera are also provided.

Unnahachote, T., Y. Suttisatid and T. Hongsuwong. 2024. A Checklist and Local Names Designation for Thai Scorpions (Scorpiones). Thai Specimens 3: 27–40 https://journal.nsm.or.th/en/node/205