The venom of the chactid Brotheas amazonicus may be used in cancer research and treatment

 

There have been a lot of research into scorpion venom to find potential agents to be used in medicine and treatment of serious diseases like cancer. Chlorotoxin from the venom of Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828) (Buthidae) is one example of a very promising agent in the fight against serious brain cancer.

In a recent paper by Mouzarllem Barros Reis and co-workers, they studied the venom of the amazonian scorpion  Brotheas amazonicus Lourenço, 1988 (Chactidae). I'm not going into detail about this work as this is way outside my expertise, but just mention that the study demonstrates that venom of the this species contains a scorpine-like molecule with high cytolytic activity in human breast cancer tumor lines. This opens that possibility for using molecules from the venom into cancer research and therapy.

Abstract:
Introduction: Scorpion venoms contain bioactive molecules with potential antitumor properties. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of crude Brotheas amazonicus venom (BamazV) and its molecular weight–separated fractions on human breast cancer cell lines, with a focus on identifying active compounds and elucidating their mechanisms of action.
Methods: Human breast epithelial (MCF10A) and breast cancer cell lines (SKBR3, MCF7, and MDA-MB-231) were first assessed for dose-dependent responses to paclitaxel, a standard chemotherapeutic agent. BamazV was fractionated by ultrafiltration into >10 kDa, 3–10 kDa, and <3 kDa fractions, which were tested for cytotoxic activity. The active fraction underwent reversed-phase chromatography, and the major bioactive peptide was characterized by mass spectrometry and Edman degradation. Cytotoxic mechanisms were investigated using cell death assays.
Results: All cell lines showed a dose-dependent response to paclitaxel. Crude BamazV induced significant cytotoxicity at concentrations ≥ 50 μg/mL, with triplenegativeMDA- MB-231 cells being themost sensitive. The >10 kDa fraction retained cytotoxic activity, leading to the isolation of a major peptide, BamazScplp1. Sequence analysis revealed 46–55% identity and 74–81% similarity to known scorpine-like peptides. Functional assays indicated that BamazScplp1 induced predominantly necrotic cell death, consistent with the activity profile of previously reported cytolytic scorpine-like molecules.
Discussion: These findings identify BamazScplp1 as a scorpine-like peptide with selective cytotoxicity toward triple-negative breast cancer cells, underscoring the potential of B. amazonicus venom as a source of bioactive compounds for cancer research.

Reference:
Reis MB, Bordon KDCF, Martins JG, Wiezel GA, Cipriano U, Procopio REdL, et al. A novel scorpine-like peptide from the amazonian scorpion Brotheas amazonicus with cytolytic activity. Front Pharmacol. 2025;16:1652614. [Open Access]

Thanks to Jonas Martins for sending me their article!

A new species of Guyanochactas from French Guiana

 

A new species in the small genus  Guyanochactas Lourenço, 1998 (Chactidae) have been described from the cloud forest of Mount Itoupé in French Guiana by Eric Ythier and co-workers recently.

Gyuanochactas itoupe Ythier, Chevalier & Lourenco, 2025

The authors also confirms the validity of the genus Auyantepuia González-Sponga, 1978 in the same family.

Abstract:
A new species of scorpion belonging to the genus Guyanochactas Lourenço, 1998 (family Chactidae Pocock, 1893), is described on the basis of one specimen collected in the cloud forest of Mount Itoupé, the second highest peak of French Guiana. Guyanochactas itoupe sp. n. represents the fourth species of the genus reported from French Guiana and the total number of
Guyanochactas species is now raised to six. The new species is a possible vicariant of Guyanochactas touroulti Lourenço, 2018, equally described from a massif formation of French Guiana, the Mitaraka.

Reference:
Ythier E, Chevalier J, Lourenco WR. Cloud forest scorpions: a new species of Guyanochactas Lourenço, 1998 (Scorpiones, Chactidae) from Mount Itoupé in French Guiana. Faunitaxys. 2025;13(48):1–9. [Article supplied by authors]

Thanks to Eric for informing me about the new species.

Family Chactidae

A new species of Alpiscorpius from Turkey

 

Ersen Yagmur recently published an article describing a new species of Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999 (Euscorpiidae) from northern Turkey.

Alpiscorpius tropeai Yagmur, 2025

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Alpiscorpius tropeai sp.n., is described from Gümüşhane and Tokat Provinces in northern Turkey. The species is classified within the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999 based on the presence of three trichobothria in the em series on the external surface of the pedipalp patella and is characterized by a low trichobothrial count (Pv = 5 and et = 4). With this addition, the number of known species in the family Euscorpiidae increased to 25, while in the genus Alpiscorpius to nine species now in Turkey.

Reference:
Yagmur EA. Alpiscorpius tropeai sp.n. from the Gümüşhane and Tokat Provinces, Turkey (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Arthropoda Selecta. 2025;34:377–86. [Open Access]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me his new article!

Family Euscorpiidae

A study of the venom proteome of the buthid Hottentotta judaicus

 

Adolfo Borges and co-workers recently published a study of the venom proteome of Hottentotta judaicus (Simon, 1872) (Buthidae). The study identified 55 components across 15 protein families, with ion channel toxins and enzymes predominating. 

This stuff is not within my scorpion competence, but I understand that the results are expanding the  repertoire of potential bioactive components prompts in the venom and that H. judaicus venom may pose a larger risk to human than previously assumed, especially for children or those with underlying cardiovascular conditions.

Abstract:
The scorpion Hottentotta judaicus inhabits the Levant region of the Middle East, including Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. While previous research focused on its insecticidal properties and sodium-channel-targeting toxins, its venom remains largely unexplored using modern proteomic approaches. We analyzed the venom composition of H. judaicus from Lebanese specimens using nESI-MS/MS, MALDI-TOF MS, SDS-PAGE, and RP-HPLC. Venom lethality in mice was assessed (LD₅₀ = 11.87 [6.59–17.16] mg/kg, i.p.), confirming moderate toxicity to vertebrates. RP-HPLC on C18 resolved 37 peaks, with 25 eluting between 20–40% acetonitrile. Reducing SDS-PAGE revealed predominant components < 10 kDa and minor bands at 31, 46, and 77 kDa. MaLDI-TOF MS detected 20 components from 1,000–12,000 m/z. A bottom-up shotgun nLC-MS/MS approach, following in-gel tryptic digestion of venom, identified 55 components across 15 protein families. Ion channel-active toxins [K⁺ (7), Na⁺ (16), Cl⁻ (1), ryanodine receptor (1)] and enzyme components (17) were predominant. This study provides proteomic evidence of H. judaicus venom components previously only identified at the transcriptomic level and reveals a richer venom profile than anticipated. Novel identified components include alternative β-subunits of lipolysis-activating proteins, as well as homologs of Olivierus martensii antimicrobial peptide inhibitor HAP- 1, Leiurus hebraeus Lqhβ1, Parabuthus transvaalicus Birtoxin, and peptide Hj2a from Hottentotta jayakari exhibiting dual α/β-toxin activity on Nav1.1 channels. This expanding repertoire of potential bioactive components prompts a reevaluation of the pathophysiological consequences of H. judaicus envenomation in humans and further exploration of their potential biomedical applications.

Reference:
Borges A, Lomonte B, de Arias AR, Fernandez J. Proteomic characterization and lethality of the venom of the Black Judean scorpion, Hottentotta judaicus (Buthidae): expanded toxin diversity and revisited toxicological significance. Arch Toxicol. 2025. Published online 10. September 2025. [Subscription required for full text]

Thanks to Adolfo for informing me about their article!

A new species in the little known genus Lissothus described from Algeria

 

Ersen Yagmur and co-workers recently published a new species of the little know genus Lissothus Vachon, 1948 (Buthidae) from southern Algeria. This is the fourth species in the genus.

Lissothus guezzamensis Yagmur, Benali & Derradj, 2025

Abstract:
Lissothus guezzamensis sp. nov. is described here based on four adult female specimens from the In Guezzam Province, Algeria. Detailed illustrations and measurements are provided. L. guezzamensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all the other known species by its coloration pattern, the dentition of the chela fingers, the carination and granulation of the fifth metasomal segment, and the shape of sternite VII.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Benali N, Derradj L. Lissothus guezzamensis sp. nov. from In Guezzam Province, Algeria (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Commagene Journal of Biology. 2025;9(2):151–7 [Full text supplied by authors]

Thanks to Ersen for sending me their article!

Family Buthidae

Two new species of Uroplectes from Somaliland and Mozambique

 

Frantisek Kovarik published yesterday a new article in which two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique are described.

Uroplectes elmii Kovarik, 2025

Uroplectes mossambicensis Kovarik, 2025

A distribution map of all discussed species in the article is also included.

Abstract:
Two new species, Uroplectes elmii sp. n. from Somaliland and U. mossambicensis sp. n. from Mozambique are described, fully illustrated with color photos showing their morphology. Both species are similar to Uroplectes fischeri (Karsch, 1879) from which they differ mainly in finger dentition (Uroplectes elmii sp. n.) and strongly reduced tibial spurs on legs III–IV (U. mossambicensis sp. n.). Uroplectes elmii sp. n. is also compared with U. pardii Kovařík, 2003, from which it differs mainly by extremely reduced to absent metasomal punctation. A distribution map of all discussed species is included.

Reference:
Kovarik F. Two new species of Uroplectes Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) from Somaliland and Mozambique. Euscorpius. 2025(426):1–18. [Open Access]

Family Buthidae

A new species of Alpiscorpius from Turkey

 

Ersen Yagmur and Halil Yayh have recently published an article describing a new species of  Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999 (Euscorpiidae) from Sultan Mountains in Turkey.

Alpiscorpius huyukensis Yagmur, 2025

In addition, the article transfers Euscorpius sultanensis Tropea & Yağmur, 2015 to Alpiscorpius. New status: Alpiscorpius sultanensis (Tropea & Yağmur, 2015).

Abstract:
A new scorpion species, Alpiscorpius huyukensis sp. n., is described from the western foothills of the Sultan Mountains, Konya Province, in the Aegean Region of western Turkey, based on morphological characters. The species is assigned to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999, due to the presence of three trichobothria in the em series on the external surface of the pedipalp patella. A. huyukensis sp. n. can be readily distinguished from its all congeners by its yellowish-orange or greyishorange body and yellow metasomal coloration, the fifth metasomal segment bearing distinct ventrolateral carinae, the presence of six trichobothria in the Pv series, and 4–5 trichobothria in the et series. A. huyukensis sp. n. clearly differs from the geographically close species Euscorpius sultanensis Tropea & Yağmur, 2015, by its reddish brown coloration and higher trichobothrial number in the et series (et = 5 versus 4). The latter species is transferred herein to the genus Alpiscorpius Gantenbein et al., 1999, because it has three trichobothria in the em series and a lower number of trichobothria in the Pv series (Pv = 6). With the description of this species and the new combination for A. sultanensis (Tropea & Yağmur, 2015), comb. n., the number of recognized species of the family Euscorpiidae in Turkey increases to 25, with the genus Alpiscorpius represented by ten species.

Reference:
Yagmur EA, Yayh HI. Alpiscorpius huyukensis sp. n., an unexpected new species from Sultan Mountains, Konya Province, Turkey (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae). Euscorpius. 2025(425):1–15. [Open Access]

Family Euscorpiidae