The venom gland of the scorpion species Euscorpius mingrelicus (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae): morphological and ultrastructural characterization

Abstract

The histology and ultrastructure of venom glands in the scorpionEuscorpius mingrelicus (Kessler, 1874) are described and illustrated in the current study for the first time by employing light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The venom apparatus is composed of a pair of venom glands and a stinger, both situated in the last segment of the metasoma. The venom glands are completely separate but similar. The two glands are segregated within the telson by striated muscle bundles, and their outer surfaces are surrounded by a cuticle. An internal layer constitutes the secretory epithelium. This epithelium is made up of simple columnar cells. The nucleus and organelles involved in cellular synthetic activity are situated basally. In the apical portion, near the gland lumen, there are many secretory granules of different sizes, shapes and electron densities. KEY WORDS:Euscorpius mingrelicus, scorpion, telson, venom gland, histology, ultrastructure. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:There is no conflict. CORRESPONDENCE TO:MEHLIKA BENLI, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. Fax: +903122232395. Email: mehlikabenli_76@hotmail.com. CHARACTERIZATION. J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis., 2008, 14, 3, p. 467 N. Yigit and M. Benli THE VENOM GLAND OF THE SCORPION SPECIES Euscorpius mingrelicus (SCORPIONES: EUSCORPIIDAE): MORPHOLOGICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL INTRODUCTIONScorpions have long been of interest to humans, primarily because of their ability to give painful and sometimes life-threatening stings. These animals are also an important and beneficial component of many ecosystems and they are one of the oldest known terrestrial arthropods. Scorpions present an elongated body. The abdomen consists of 12 distinct segments and the last five segments of abdomen form the metasoma that is commonly called as a tail. The telson, situated at the end of the metasoma, is a bulb-shaped structure that contains the venom glands and a sharp, curved stinger to deliver venom. The scorpion venom is used for both prey capture and defense. It is a complex mixture of neurotoxins and other substances; each species has a unique composition. Despite their intimidating reputation, about 30 species worldwide have venom sufficiently potent to be considered dangerous to humans (1).Scorpion venoms are rich sources of bioactive peptides but they contain only some biogenic amines (21). Most scorpion toxins, which are ligand peptides, are described in some literatures. They can be recognized and can interact specifically with ion channels (Na + , K + , Cl -and Ca 2+ ) of excitable or non-excitable cells (1, 6, 16, 20). In scorpion venom, there are also many toxins that present antimicrobial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (3, 13, 19).Venoms or whole tails of scorpions have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat some neurological diseases such as stroke, rheumatism and tetanus for more than 2,000 years. Therefore, it is very interesting to identify th...

Study of biomechanical, anatomical, and physiological properties of scorpion stingers for developing biomimetic materials

“…1). The slender abdomen is segmented, with the last five segments forming the tail, which is also referred to as the metasoma [24,25]. The venom apparatus is situated at the terminal segment (i.e., telson) and consists of a basal bulb and a sickle-shaped stinger (i.e., aculeus).…”

Euscorpius (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae): three cases of stings in northwestern Italy

“…The aculeus is used for scorpion self-defense, when the animal feels threatened or accidentally is accidentally provoked (2). Its venom varies from species to species and comprises a heterogeneous mixture of substances used primarily for capturing and killing prey.…”

Scorpion Venoms

“…This positioning is unique among animals and, together with the presence of the pectines, is one of the apomorphic (also known as derived) characteristics of scorpions. The number of cell types present in this epithelium differs between species and between studies (Samano-Bishop and Gomez de la Ferriz 1964;Keegan and Lockwood 1971;Mazurkewiecz and Bertke 1972;Kovoor 1973;Gopalakrishnakone et al 1995;Yigit and Benli 2008;). In scorpions, it consists of a venom vesicle prolonged ending in the aculeus.…”