Interspecific and Intraspecific Variation in Venom Proteomics, Composition, and Antivenom Efficacy of Thai Cobras (Naja spp.): Highlighting the Distinct Profile of the Newly Identified Naja fuxi

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  Interspecific and Intraspecific Variation in Venom Proteomics, Composition, and Antivenom Efficacy of Thai Cobras (Naja spp.): Highlighting the Distinct Profile of the Newly Identified Naja fuxi Abstract Cobras ( Naja  spp.) account for a significant number of snakebite incidents in Thailand. The monocled cobra ( Naja kaouthia ) has historically been considered the only non-spitting species, but recent evidence indicates population-level diversification in central and southern regions. Additionally, a newly described non-spitting species, the mountain cobra ( Naja fuxi ), has been identified in mountainous areas. This study investigates venom variation among Thai  Naja  species and populations and evaluates the efficacy of monovalent and polyvalent Thai antivenoms. Proteomic analyses revealed that three-finger toxins dominate  Naja  venoms, whereas  N. fuxi  exhibits a distinct profile enriched in snake venom metalloproteinases and cysteine-rich...

On the liphistiomorph trichobothria and the significance of their structure for tracking the bothria evolution in the order Araneae

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On the liphistiomorph trichobothria and the significance of their structure for tracking the bothria evolution in the order Araneae

Abstract

Femoral trichobothria in liphistiomorph spiders are re-discovered and described for the first time. Present in both Liphistiidae and Heptathelidae, they turned out to be another synapomorphy of this suborder. The trichobothria of Liphistiomorphae, situated dorsally on the distal leg/palp joints (as usual in spiders), and ventrally on femora, possess sharply dissimilar bothria; two types of trichobothrial bases in the same species are a unique case among Arachnida. The morphology of the bothria in the liphistiomorphs has been compared with those in the mygalomorphs and araneomorphs, as well as those in the tetrapulmonate and non-tetrapulmonate arachnid orders. The evolution of the bothrial types in all three main lineages of the Araneae seems to have been parallel.

Marusik, Yuri. (2024). On the liphistiomorph trichobothria and the significance of their structure for tracking the bothria evolution in the order Araneae. Israel Journal of Entomology. 53. 93-112. 10.5281/zenodo.12790018. https://zenodo.org/records/12790018