Effect of Milking Method, Diet, and Temperature on Venom Production in Scorpions

Tobassum, Saadia; Tahir, Hafız Muhammad; Zahid, Muhammad; Gardner, Qurratulann Afza; Ahsan, Muhammad Mohsin

doi:10.1093/jisesa/iey081

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…These sex-driven venom intraspecific variations have since been demonstrated for other spider groups, including the ctenids and tetragnathids [ 10 , 11 ]. Other venom variations can be attributed to the method of collection [ 12 ]. Largely employed, electric stimulation of the venom glands produces higher yields but may differ from naturally produced venom.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proteotranscriptomic Insights into the Venom Composition of the Wolf Spider Lycosa tarantula

Koua

Mary

Ebou

et al. 2020

Toxins

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Spider venoms represent an original source of novel compounds with therapeutic and agrochemical potential. Whereas most of the research efforts have focused on large mygalomorph spiders, araneomorph spiders are equally promising but require more sensitive and sophisticated approaches given their limited size and reduced venom yield. Belonging to the latter group, the genus Lycosa (“wolf spiders”) contains many species widely distributed throughout the world. These spiders are ambush predators that do not build webs but instead rely strongly on their venom for prey capture. Lycosa tarantula is one of the largest species of wolf spider, but its venom composition is unknown. Using a combination of RNA sequencing of the venom glands and venom proteomics, we provide the first overview of the peptides and proteins produced by this iconic Mediterranean spider. Beside the typical small disulfide rich neurotoxins, several families of proteins were also identified, including cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP) and Hyaluronidases. Proteomic analysis of the electrically stimulated venom validated 30 of these transcriptomic sequences, including nine putative neurotoxins and eight venom proteins. Interestingly, LC-MS venom profiles of manual versus electric stimulation, as well as female versus male, showed some marked differences in mass distribution. Finally, we also present some preliminary data on the biological activity of L. tarantula crude venom.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proteotranscriptomic Insights into the Venom Composition of the Wolf Spider Lycosa tarantula

Koua

Mary

Ebou

et al. 2020

Toxins

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“…A venom change due to temperature may also affect other organisms than parasitoids that depend on venom production for survival, especially for killing prey or enemies. Temperature effects could affect the amount of venom produced, the composition of this venom or even its level of toxicity [ 79 , 80 , 81 ]. As with the evolution of venom, comparisons between venomous organisms could help in identifying common mechanisms to venomous organisms linking temperature to venom changes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Temperature on the Immune Interaction between a Parasitoid Wasp and Drosophila Host Species

Cavigliasso

Gatti

Colinet

et al. 2021

Insects

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Temperature is particularly important for ectotherms, including endoparasitoid wasps that develop inside another ectotherm host. In this study, we tested the impact of three temperatures (20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C) on the host–parasitoid immune interaction using two Drosophila host species (Drosophila melanogaster and D. yakuba) and two parasitoid lines of Leptopilina boulardi. Drosophila’s immune defense against parasitoids consists of the formation of a melanized capsule surrounding the parasitoid egg. To counteract this response, Leptopilina parasitoids rely on the injection of venom during oviposition. Here, we tested the effect of temperature on parasitic success and host encapsulation capacity in response to a parasitoid egg or other foreign body. Increased temperature either promoted or did not affect the parasitic success, depending on the parasitoid–host pairs considered. The mechanisms behind the higher success seemed to vary depending on whether the temperature primarily affected the host immune response or also affected the parasitoid counter-immune response. Next, we tested the effect of parasitoid rearing temperature on its success and venom composition. Venom composition varied strongly with temperature for both parasitoid lines, partially consistent with a change in their parasitic success. Overall, temperature may have a significant impact on the host–parasitoid immune interaction.

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“…Snake venom, for example, has been seen to change in composition depending on factors like alterations in the animal’s physiological state and diet [ 249 , 250 ]. In recent years, changes in scorpion venom composition and production following diet alterations have been recorded [ 251 , 252 ]. Pucca [ 251 ] observed different peaks in venom profiles obtained from scorpions belonging to the same species fed with different types of prey, suggesting rapid adaptation of venom composition to different prey types.…”

Section: Ecological Role Of Scorpion Weapons In Feeding Defense and Intraspecific Agonismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pucca [ 251 ] observed different peaks in venom profiles obtained from scorpions belonging to the same species fed with different types of prey, suggesting rapid adaptation of venom composition to different prey types. Similarly, Tobassum et al [ 252 ] divided scorpions belonging to the same species into groups and fed each group with a different type of prey, observing significant differences in the volume of venom extracted from each group after the same starvation period, suggesting that some prey items are preferable when higher volume of milked venom is required.…”

Section: Ecological Role Of Scorpion Weapons In Feeding Defense and Intraspecific Agonismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons

Simone¹,

Meijden²

2021

J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis

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Scorpions possess two systems of weapons: the pincers (chelae) and the stinger (telson). These are placed on anatomically and developmentally well separated parts of the body, that is, the oral appendages and at the end of the body axis. The otherwise conserved body plan of scorpions varies most in the shape and relative dimensions of these two weapon systems, both across species and in some cases between the sexes. We review the literature on the ecological function of these two weapon systems in each of three contexts of usage: (i) predation, (ii) defense and (iii) sexual contests. In the latter context, we will also discuss their usage in mating. We first provide a comparative background for each of these contexts of usage by giving examples of other weapon systems from across the animal kingdom. Then, we discuss the pertinent aspects of the anatomy of the weapon systems, particularly those aspects relevant to their functioning in their ecological roles. The literature on the functioning and ecological role of both the chelae and the telson is discussed in detail, again organized by context of usage. Particular emphasis is given on the differences in morphology or usage between species or higher taxonomic groups, or between genders, as such cases are most insightful to understand the roles of each of the two distinct weapon systems of the scorpions and their evolutionary interactions. We aimed to synthesize the literature while minimizing conjecture, but also to point out gaps in the literature and potential future research opportunities.

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Effect of Milking Method, Diet, and Temperature on Venom Production in Scorpions

Cited by 18 publications

References 20 publications

Proteotranscriptomic Insights into the Venom Composition of the Wolf Spider Lycosa tarantula

Proteotranscriptomic Insights into the Venom Composition of the Wolf Spider Lycosa tarantula

Impact of Temperature on the Immune Interaction between a Parasitoid Wasp and Drosophila Host Species

Armed stem to stinger: a review of the ecological roles of scorpion weapons

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