Biochemical characterisation and substrate-specific proteolytic diversity of venom metalloproteinases in African puff adders

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  By 4028mdk09 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11200575 Biochemical characterisation and substrate-specific proteolytic diversity of venom metalloproteinases in African puff adders Abstract The puff adder ( Bitis arietans ) is a highly venomous viper responsible for many snakebite fatalities in Africa, yet there have been few geographically comprehensive analyses of its venom proteins, particularly of the proteases that play a key role in pathology of envenoming. To address this, we have isolated, identified and characterised the bioactivity of the venom metalloproteases of puff adders obtained from a range of localities. Prominent in all venoms was a PI snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP), derived from a larger PII precursor. This protein existed as either non-glycosylated (21 kDa) or glycosylated, the latter containing either one (26 kDa) or two N-glycans (30 kDa). All the venoms we tested contained either one or the other form: none had...

Sexual differences on body condition in litter-dwelling scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

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Sexual differences on body condition in litter-dwelling scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Buthidae)

ABSTRACT

Body condition may be an important additional tool for ecological studies. However, this information is still lacking for many arachnids such as scorpions. In addition, sex can be considered as a determining factor in the body condition of individuals since it can present differences in lifehistory traits. Thus, we evaluated the body condition of the litter-dwelling scorpion Tityus pusillus Pocock, 1893. For this, 88 individuals (44 by sex) were used, where the following body condition parameters were measured: body size, fresh, dry, lipid and muscle mass. Our results showed that females have a significantly higher values than males in all parameters of body condition measured. Differences in life-history traits between sexes, such as foraging activity and reproductive investment may be directly related to these findings. Finally, our results suggest that females possess a higher environmental requirement to maintain body condition.

Moreira, Milena O.M., Geraldo J.B. Moura, and André F.A. Lira. 2024. “Sexual Differences on Body Condition in Litter-Dwelling Scorpion <em>Tityus pusillus</Em> Pocock, 1893 (Scorpiones: Buthidae)”. Revista Chilena De Entomología 50 (1). https://www.biotaxa.org/rce/article/view/85281.