DOCSLIB.ORG

Australian Funnel-Web Spiders Evolved Human-Lethal Δ-Hexatoxins for Defense Against Vertebrate Predators

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Australian funnel-web spiders evolved human-lethal δ-hexatoxins for defense against vertebrate predators Volker Herziga,b,1,2, Kartik Sunagarc,1, David T. R. Wilsond,1, Sandy S. Pinedaa,e,1, Mathilde R. Israela, Sebastien Dutertref, Brianna Sollod McFarlandg, Eivind A. B. Undheima,h,i, Wayne C. Hodgsonj, Paul F. Alewooda, Richard J. Lewisa, Frank Bosmansk, Irina Vettera,l, Glenn F. Kinga,2, and Bryan G. Frym,2 aInstitute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; bGeneCology Research Centre, School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia; cEvolutionary Venomics Lab, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; dCentre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD 4878, Australia; eBrain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2052, Australia; fInstitut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron, UMR 5247, Université Montpellier, CNRS, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France; gSollod Scientific Analysis, Timnath, CO 80547; hCentre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; iCentre for Ecology and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; jMonash Venom Group, Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; kBasic and Applied Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; lSchool of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia; and mVenom Evolution Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Edited by David M. Hillis, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, and approved August 9, 2020 (received for review March 10, 2020) Australian funnel-web spiders are infamous for causing human δ-HXTXs and δ-AOTX comprise 42 to 44 residues and con- fatalities, which are induced by venom peptides known as tain four disulfide bonds, three of which are arranged in an in- δ-hexatoxins (δ-HXTXs). Humans and other primates did not fea- hibitor cystine knot (ICK) motif (8, 9). δ-HXTXs slow the ture in the prey or predator spectrum during evolution of these inactivation of vertebrate tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated δ spiders, and consequently the primate lethality of -HXTXs re- sodium (NaV) channels and insect NaV channels by binding to mains enigmatic. Funnel-web envenomations are mostly inflicted the voltage sensor in channel domain IV (10, 11). In human bite by male spiders that wander from their burrow in search of fe- victims, δ-HXTXs cause disturbances in respiration, blood males during the mating season, which suggests a role for pressure, and heart rate, followed by severe hypotension. With- δ-HXTXs in self-defense since male spiders rarely feed during this out treatment with commercial antivenom (5), fatalities can oc- EVOLUTION period. Although 35 species of Australian funnel-web spiders have cur by respiratory and circulatory failure within a few hours of δ been described, only nine -HXTXs from four species have been the bite (12). Interestingly, in striking contrast to humans and characterized, resulting in a lack of understanding of the ecologi- other primates, some vertebrates such as dogs and cats are in- δ cal roles and molecular evolution of -HXTXs. Here, by profiling sensitive to funnel-web envenomation (13). venom-gland transcriptomes of 10 funnel-web species, we report δ Humans did not feature in the prey or predator spectrum 22 -HXTXs. Phylogenetic and evolutionary assessments reveal a during evolution of funnel-web spiders, as primates were not remarkable sequence conservation of δ-HXTXs despite their deep evolutionary origin within funnel-web spiders, consistent with a defensive role. We demonstrate that δ-HXTX-Ar1a, the lethal toxin Significance from the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus, induces pain in mice by inhibiting inactivation of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) The venom of Australian funnel-web spiders contains channels involved in nociceptive signaling. δ-HXTX-Ar1a also δ-hexatoxins (δ-HXTXs) that exert fatal neurotoxic effects in inhibited inactivation of cockroach NaV channels and was insecti- humans by inhibiting inactivation of voltage-gated sodium cidal to sheep blowflies. Considering their algogenic effects in channels, but their precise ecological role remains unclear. Se- mice, potent insecticidal effects, and high levels of sequence con- quencing of venom-gland transcriptomes from 10 funnel-web servation, we propose that the δ-HXTXs were repurposed from an species uncovered 22 δ-HXTXs. Evolutionary analysis revealed initial insecticidal predatory function to a role in defending against extreme conservation of these toxins, despite their ancient nonhuman vertebrate predators by male spiders, with their lethal origin. We isolated the lethal δ-HXTX from venom of the Syd- effects on humans being an unfortunate evolutionary coincidence. ney funnel-web spider and showed that it induces pain in mice, suggesting a role in predator deterrence. Although humans are venom | evolution | spider not the target of δ-HXTXs, these toxins likely evolved to deter vertebrate predators commonly encountered by these spiders, such as bandicoots, birds, and lizards. Thus, the lethal potency espite their fearsome reputation, only a few species of spi- of δ-HXTXs against humans is an unfortunate evolutionary ders can cause death or serious harm to humans (1). An D coincidence. infamous exception is the Australian funnel-web spider, arguably ’ the world s deadliest spider (2). These spiders produce extraor- Author contributions: V.H. and B.G.F. designed research; V.H., K.S., D.T.R.W., S.S.P., M.R.I., dinarily complex venoms, with each venom containing up to S.D., B.S.M., E.A.B.U., W.C.H., P.F.A., R.J.L., F.B., I.V., and G.F.K. performed research; V.H., several thousand peptide toxins (3, 4). Despite this chemical K.S., D.T.R.W., S.S.P., M.R.I., S.D., B.S.M., E.A.B.U., W.C.H., P.F.A., R.J.L., F.B., I.V., G.F.K., and δ B.G.F. analyzed data; and V.H., K.S., D.T.R.W., S.S.P., M.R.I., S.D., B.S.M., E.A.B.U., W.C.H., complexity, a single family of toxins known as the -hexatoxins P.F.A., R.J.L., F.B., I.V., G.F.K., and B.G.F. wrote the paper. δ ( -HXTXs) is responsible for the human envenomation syn- The authors declare no competing interest. drome (5). There are currently 35 described species of Austra- This article is a PNAS Direct Submission. lian funnel-web spiders and 38 species of related non-Australian Published under the PNAS license. funnel-web spiders in the genus Macrothele, but to date only 12 δ- 1V.H., K.S., D.T.R.W., and S.S.P. contributed equally to this work. HXTX sequences have been reported from six species within this 2 δ δ To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: [email protected], glenn.king@ broad clade. A homologous -actinopoditoxin ( -AOTX) is pre- imb.uq.edu.au, or [email protected]. sent in the venom of the related Australian mouse spider Mis- This article contains supporting information online at https://www.pnas.org/lookup/suppl/ sulena bradleyi (6), which can cause serious human envenomations doi:10.1073/pnas.2004516117/-/DCSupplemental. with symptoms resembling those from funnel-web spider bites (7). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2004516117 PNAS Latest Articles | 1of9 Downloaded by guest on September 30, 2021 Fig. 1. Phylogenetic reconstruction of δ-HXTXs. Tree representing the phylogenetic history of δ-HXTXs as estimated by maximum-likelihood inference. The thickness of branches corresponds to node supports (thick branch, bootstrap ≥ 75; thin branch, bootstrap < 75), and various species are presented in distinct colors. The cysteine pattern (black lines) and activities (red lines) are annotated (Right). Fly and mouse icons indicate insecticidal and vertebrate activity, respectively. The underscore sequence numbers refer to the unique preprotoxin nomenclature used in the ArachnoServer database (23). present 150 to 200 million y ago (MYA) when these spiders (15, 16), which might suggest a role in prey capture. However, in originated (14). Thus, the underlying reason for the peculiar some species, these toxins are secreted in very low abundance in susceptibility of humans to δ-HXTXs and the ecological role of the venoms of female spiders and immature males, consistent these toxins remain enigmatic. The δ-HXTXs are insecticidal with the fact that only sexually mature male spiders cause severe 2of9 | www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2004516117 Herzig et al. Downloaded by guest on September 30, 2021 or lethal human envenomations (17). Moreover, it is hard to In the current study, we identified 22 δ-HXTX sequences from reconcile a role for these toxins in predation given that sexually 10 species of Australian funnel-web spiders, and evaluated their mature males, in whose venom the toxins are most abundant, molecular evolution, phylogenetic histories, insecticidal activity, rarely feed during the mating season. Rather, the fact that adult and potency against human NaV channels involved in pain sig- males leave the safety of their burrows to search for female naling. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence that the spiders (2), making them more susceptible to predators, suggests δ-HXTXs were recruited by funnel-web spiders as a weapon to a role for the δ-HXTXs in predator deterrence. A well- deter vertebrate predators, and that their lethal effects on hu- documented strategy for defensive toxins is to induce pain mans is an unfortunate evolutionary coincidence. (18–20), and pain is a common symptom following funnel-web envenomation (2, 17). Consistent with the idea that the Results δ-HXTXs serve a defensive role by inducing pain in vertebrate δ-HXTX Sequences.
Recommended publications
  • Interactions of Insecticidal Spider Peptide Neurotoxins with Insect Voltage- and Neurotransmitter-Gated Ion Channels

    Interactions of Insecticidal Spider Peptide Neurotoxins with Insect Voltage- and Neurotransmitter-Gated Ion Channels

    Interactions of insecticidal spider peptide neurotoxins with insect voltage- and neurotransmitter-gated ion channels (Molecular representation of - HXTX-Hv1c including key binding residues, adapted from Gunning et al, 2008) PhD Thesis Monique J. Windley UTS 2012 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORSHIP/ORIGINALITY I certify that the work in this thesis has not previously been submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree except as fully acknowledged within the text. I also certify that the thesis has been written by me. Any help that I have received in my research work and the preparation of the thesis itself has been acknowledged. In addition, I certify that all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. Monique J. Windley 2012 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are many people who I would like to thank for contributions made towards the completion of this thesis. Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor Prof. Graham Nicholson for his guidance and persistence throughout this project. I would like to acknowledge his invaluable advice, encouragement and his neverending determination to find a solution to any problem. He has been a valuable mentor and has contributed immensely to the success of this project. Next I would like to thank everyone at UTS who assisted in the advancement of this research. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge Phil Laurance for his assistance in the repair and modification of laboratory equipment. To all the laboratory and technical staff, particulary Harry Simpson and Stan Yiu for the restoration and sourcing of equipment - thankyou. I would like to thank Dr Mike Johnson for his continual assistance, advice and cheerful disposition.
  • Comparative Analyses of Venoms from American and African Sicarius Spiders That Differ in Sphingomyelinase D Activity

    Comparative Analyses of Venoms from American and African Sicarius Spiders That Differ in Sphingomyelinase D Activity

    This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright Author's personal copy Toxicon 55 (2010) 1274–1282 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Toxicon journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/toxicon Comparative analyses of venoms from American and African Sicarius spiders that differ in sphingomyelinase D activity Pamela A. Zobel-Thropp*, Melissa R. Bodner 1, Greta J. Binford Department of Biology, Lewis and Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Road, Portland, OR 97219, USA article info abstract Article history: Spider venoms are cocktails of toxic proteins and peptides, whose composition varies at Received 27 August 2009 many levels. Understanding patterns of variation in chemistry and bioactivity is funda- Received in revised form 14 January 2010 mental for understanding factors influencing variation. The venom toxin sphingomyeli- Accepted 27 January 2010 nase D (SMase D) in sicariid spider venom (Loxosceles and Sicarius) causes dermonecrotic Available online 8 February 2010 lesions in mammals. Multiple forms of venom-expressed genes with homology to SMase D are expressed in venoms of both genera.
  • ANA CAROLINA MARTINS WILLE.Pdf

    ANA CAROLINA MARTINS WILLE.Pdf

    UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANÁ ANA CAROLINA MARTINS WILLE AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE DE FOSFOLIPASE-D RECOMBINANTE DO VENENO DA ARANHA MARROM (Loxosceles intermedia) SOBRE A PROLIFERAÇÃO, INFLUXO DE CÁLCIO E METABOLISMO DE FOSFOLIPÍDIOS EM CÉLULAS TUMORAIS. CURITIBA 2014 i Wille, Ana Carolina Martins Avaliação da atividade de fosfolipase-D recombinante do veneno da aranha marrom (Loxosceles intermedia) sobre a proliferação, influxo de cálcio e metabolismo de fosfolipídios em células tumorais Curitiba, 2014. 217p. Tese (Doutorado) – Universidade Federal do Paraná – UFPR 1.veneno de aranha marrom. 2. fosfolipase-D. 3.proliferação celular. 4.metabolismo de lipídios. 5.influxo de cálcio. ANA CAROLINA MARTINS WILLE AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE DE FOSFOLIPASE-D RECOMBINANTE DO VENENO DA ARANHA MARROM (Loxosceles intermedia) SOBRE A PROLIFERAÇÃO, INFLUXO DE CÁLCIO E METABOLISMO DE FOSFOLIPÍDIOS EM CÉLULAS TUMORAIS. Tese apresentada como requisito à obtenção do grau de Doutor em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Curso de Pós- Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Paraná. Orientador(a): Dra. Andrea Senff Ribeiro Co-orientador: Dr. Silvio Sanches Veiga CURITIBA 2014 ii O desenvolvimento deste trabalho foi possível devido ao apoio financeiro do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), a Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação Araucária e SETI-PR. iii Dedico este trabalho àquela que antes da sua existência foi o grande sonho que motivou minha vida. Sonho que foi a base para que eu escolhesse uma profissão e um trabalho. À você, minha amada filha GIOVANNA, hoje minha realidade, dedico todo meu trabalho. iv Dedico também este trabalho ao meu amado marido, amigo, professor e co- orientador Dr.
  • Tarantulas in the Pacific Northwest1

    Tarantulas in the Pacific Northwest1

    WSU Puyallup REC PLS-108 Updated July 2003 Tarantulas in the Pacific Northwest1 Tarantulas (Fig. 1) in the Pacific Northwest? Well, maybe not like the hairy monsters of the tropics, but some very interesting "atypical" species do occur here. Our species belong to the family Antrodiaetidae. One of our most common spiders is the folding-door spider, Antrodiaetus pacificus (Simon). It is a fairly large species, females ranging from 11 to 13 millimeters in length, males slightly smaller. They are generally dark brown to almost black in color with the abdomen purplish brown. Males are characterized by their long legs, slim bodies, and three tergites (hardened plates) on the abdomen. Females (Fig. 2) are more robust with only one tergite. These spiders excavate burrows in the soil or in damp, rotten wood, digging with a row of spines on each chelicer, known as a ratellum. The six to ten inch deep vertical shafts are lined with silk. The webbing extends beyond ground level as a short collar of camouflaged silk. The turret’s two sides may be drawn in by the occupant, forming two "doors" which meet in the middle. At night, Antrodiaetus assumes a foraging posture with its pedipalps and first pair of legs just touching the rim of silk at the mouth of the tube. In this position, the folding door spider can readily detect an insect moving above ground. The spider will leap out of its burrow with lightning speed, seize its victim, and drop back down, like a terrorizing Jack-in-the-box. When finished with its meal, it will add the insect's dry, dismembered body to a silk-covered trash pile at the bottom of its burrow.
  • Arthropod Envenomation

    Arthropod Envenomation

    Arthropod Envenomation Michael R. Loomis, DVM, MA, DACZM North Carolina Zoological Park Hymenoptera Envenomation Order Hymenoptera Family Vespidae- wasps Family Formicidae- ants Familt Mutillidae- velvet ants Family Apidae- bees • Stinger is a modified ovipositor Bee and Wasp Venom Components • Proteins, peptides and • Apitoxin – 52% Melitten (potent anti- amines inflammatory agent that – Phospholipase increases production of cortisol) – Histamine – 10-12% Phospholipase A2 – Bradykinin – 2-5% Aldolapin (blocks – cyclooxygenase) Acetylcholine – 1-3% Hyuronidase – Dopamine – 0.5-2% Histamine – Seratonin – 1-2% Dopamine and noradrenaline – Mast cell degranulating – 2% Protease-inhibitors peptide – Apamine increases cortisol – Mastoparan production, mild neurotoxin Ant Venom Components • Fire ants- 95% alkaloid (Unique among ants) • Most other ants, similar to bee and wasp venom • Harvester ant venom contains a hemolysin Venom Toxicity Family Common Name LD 50 (mg/kg) Apidae Honey bee 2.8 Mutillidae Velvet ant 71.0 Vespidae Paper wasp 2.4 Vespidae Yellowjacket 3.5 Formicidae Harvester ant 0.66 Formicidae Maricopa Harvester ant 0.12 Morbidity and Mortality Bees and Wasps • In US, 9.3 million ant • 17-56% produce local stings and 1 million reactions stings of other • Hymenoptera/year 1-2% produce generalized reactions • More deaths/year than any other type of • 5% seek medical care envenomation • 30-120 deaths from • Most deaths are the wasp and bee result of Anaphylaxis stings/year Local Reactions • Pain • Edema which may extend 10 cm from
  • Structural Venomics Reveals Evolution of a Complex Venom by Duplication and Diversification of an Ancient Peptide-Encoding Gene

    Structural Venomics Reveals Evolution of a Complex Venom by Duplication and Diversification of an Ancient Peptide-Encoding Gene

    Structural venomics reveals evolution of a complex venom by duplication and diversification of an ancient peptide-encoding gene Sandy S. Pinedaa,b,1,2,3,4, Yanni K.-Y. China,c,1, Eivind A. B. Undheimc,d,e, Sebastian Senffa, Mehdi Moblic, Claire Daulyf, Pierre Escoubasg, Graham M. Nicholsonh, Quentin Kaasa, Shaodong Guoa, Volker Herziga,5, John S. Mattickb,6, and Glenn F. Kinga,2 aInstitute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; bGarvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; cCentre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; dCentre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; eCentre for Ecological & Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; fThermo Fisher Scientific, 91941 Courtaboeuf Cedex, France; gUniversity of Nice Sophia Antipolis, 06000 Nice, France; and hSchool of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia Edited by Adriaan Bax, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and approved March 18, 2020 (received for review August 21, 2019) Spiders are one of the most successful venomous animals, with N-terminal strand is sometimes present (12). The cystine knot more than 48,000 described species. Most spider venoms are comprises a “ring” formed by two disulfide bonds and the in- dominated by cysteine-rich peptides with a diverse range of phar- tervening sections of the peptide backbone, with a third disulfide macological activities. Some spider venoms contain thousands of piercing the ring to create a pseudoknot (11).
  • Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris Iracundus

    Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris Iracundus

    biomedicines Article Hexapod Assassins’ Potion: Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris iracundus Nicolai Rügen 1, Timothy P. Jenkins 2, Natalie Wielsch 3, Heiko Vogel 4 , Benjamin-Florian Hempel 5,6 , Roderich D. Süssmuth 5 , Stuart Ainsworth 7, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz 8 , Andreas Vilcinskas 1,9,10 and Miray Tonk 9,10,* 1 Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; [email protected] (N.R.); [email protected] (A.V.) 2 Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; [email protected] 3 Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745 Jena, Germany; [email protected] 4 Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany; [email protected] 5 Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany; [email protected] (B.-F.H.); [email protected] (R.D.S.) 6 BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies BCRT, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany 7 Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; [email protected] 8 Citation: Rügen, N.; Jenkins, T.P.; UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Wielsch, N.; Vogel, H.; Hempel, B.-F.; F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; [email protected] 9 Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, Süssmuth, R.D.; Ainsworth, S.; 35392 Giessen, Germany Cabezas-Cruz, A.; Vilcinskas, A.; 10 LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, Tonk, M.
  • Pilbara Project Short-Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna Survey

    Pilbara Project Short-Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna Survey

    Short-Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna Report: FerrAus Pilbara Project Prepared for FerrAus Ltd Final Report 5HY October 2010 Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 1 Short-range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna Survey Final Report FerrAus Pilbara Project FerrAus Ltd Short-range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna Survey 3URMHFW)HUU$XV3LOEDUD3URMHFW )LQDO5HSRUW5HY October 2010 Authors: Conor O’Neill and Jarrad Clark Reviewer: Melanie White Prepared for FerrAus Ltd Prepared by: Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd © 2010 Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd The information contained in this report is solely for the use of the Client for the purpose in which it has been prepared and Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd accepts no responsibility for use beyond this purpose. Any person or organisation wishing to quote or reproduce any section of this report may only do so with the written permission of Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd or FerrAus Ltd. Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 1/511 Wanneroo Road BALCATTA WA 6021 P: 08 9345 1608 F: 08 6313 0680 E: [email protected] Project code: 952-DC-FER-SRE Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd i Short-range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna Survey Final Report FerrAus Pilbara Project FerrAus Ltd TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... iv 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................
  • What's Eating You? Tarantulas (Theraphosidae)

    What's Eating You? Tarantulas (Theraphosidae)

    Close enCounters With the environment What’s Eating You? Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) Lauren E. Krug, BS; Dirk M. Elston, MD arantulas belong to the family Theraphosidae, which contains more than 900 species of T hairy and often very large spiders (Figure). Depending on the species, the tarantula’s body length ranges from 1 to 4 in with 3- to 12-in leg spans. At 12 in, the largest reported species is the Goliath bird- eating spider (Theraphosa blondi). The tarantula’s body consists of 4 pairs of legs that terminate in retractable claws, allowing the spider to grip and climb. Two additional pointed appendages called chelicerae are located just below the eyes and are used to grip food and prey. They contain the venomCUTIS glands that allow the spider to immobilize and kill its prey.1 In addition to the regular hairs that cover the Tarantula. spider’s body, most New World species possess barbed urticating hairs that can be released to defend the spider when it feels threatened. Located on the dorsal surface of the abdomen, the hairs are dislodged when Secondary glaucoma and cataract formation also have the Dospider rapidly vibrates 1 or Notboth of its hind legs.2 been reported.Copy10 Patients suspected of having ocular Once released, the hairs travel similar to arrows, giv- injuries should be seen by an ophthalmologist and ing them the ability to penetrate deeply into the eyes examined with a slit lamp.11 Management includes and other tissues and to cause prolonged localized topical steroids and antibiotics as well as removal of urticaria in skin.3 Histologically, skin lesions may the hairs, which may be difficult or impossible.4-9,12 demonstrate hairs that have penetrated both the Some species of tarantulas may incorporate urticating stratum corneum and stratum malpighii.
  • Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula Native Range Map

    Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula Native Range Map

    Chilean Rose-haired Tarantula Native Range Map Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Chelicerata Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Family: Theraphosidae Genus : Grammostola Species : gala Photo courtesy of Karen Marzynski Habitat • In the Wild: This species of tarantula can be found in Chile, in dry grassland regions at the edge of the desert. • Exhibit Location: Zoo to You Collection Characteristics • Adults grow to be 4.5 – 5.5 inches in diameter. • There are 2 different color schemes, depending on where in Chile they are from. Many are brownish, while others are more reddish or pink in color. • This tarantula has a hard external skeleton (exoskeleton) and 8 jointed legs. The exterior of the body is covered by long, bristle-like hairs. There is a smaller pair of sensory appendages called pedipalps. They have 8 eyes, 2 fangs, and are venomous (poisonous). They have a cephalothorax (composed of the head and thorax) to which all appendages except the spinnerets (tubular structures from which web silk are produced) are attached. The spinnerets are found on the abdomen. • Individual hairs may be sensitive to motion, heat, cold, and other environmental triggers. Hairs near the mouth are capable of sensing chemicals that give the spider a basic type of sense of smell and taste. • Lifespan: In the Wild males 3-10 years, females 15-20 years; In Captivity males less than 2 years, females 20 or more years (average is 12 years) Behaviors • The Chilean rose-haired tarantula is a nocturnal (nighttime) hunter and finds a shelter to web itself into at dawn. • Their digestive system is designed to deal with liquid food only.
  • Report-Mungo National Park-Appendix A

    Report-Mungo National Park-Appendix A

    Mungo National Park, NSW, 2017 Appendix A: Fauna species lists Family Species Common name Reptiles Agamidae Ctenophorus fordi Mallee Military Dragon Agamidae Ctenophorus pictus Painted Dragon Agamidae Diporiphora nobbi Nobbi Dragon Agamidae Pogona vitticeps Central Bearded Dragon Agamidae Tympanocryptis lineata Lined Earless Dragon Agamidae Tympanocryptis tetraporophora Eyrean Earless Dragon Carphodactylidae Nephrurus levis Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko Carphodactylidae Underwoodisaurus milii Thick-tailed Gecko Diplodactylidae Diplodactylus furcosus Ranges Stone Gecko Diplodactylidae Diplodactylus tessellatus Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylidae Diplodactylus vittatus Eastern Stone Gecko Diplodactylidae Lucasium damaeum Beaded Gecko Diplodactylidae Rhynchoedura ormsbyi Eastern Beaked Gecko Diplodactylidae Strophurus elderi ~ Jewelled Gecko Diplodactylidae Strophurus intermedius Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko Elapidae Brachyurophis australis Australian Coral Snake Elapidae Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whip Snake Elapidae Parasuta nigriceps Mallee Black-headed Snake Elapidae Pseudechis australis Mulga Snake Elapidae Pseudonaja aspidorhyncha * Strap-snouted Brown Snake Elapidae Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake Elapidae Suta suta Curl Snake Gekkonidae Gehyra versicolor Eastern Tree Gecko Gekkonidae Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's Gecko Pygopodidae Delma butleri Butler's Delma Pygopodidae Lialis burtonis Burton's Legless Lizard Pygopodidae Pygopus schraderi Eastern Hooded Scaly-foot Scincidae Cryptoblepharus australis Inland Snake-eyed Skink Scincidae
  • Diversification of a Single Ancestral Gene Into a Successful Toxin Superfamily in Highly Venomous Australian Funnel-Web Spiders

    Diversification of a Single Ancestral Gene Into a Successful Toxin Superfamily in Highly Venomous Australian Funnel-Web Spiders

    Pineda et al. BMC Genomics 2014, 15:177 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/15/177 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Diversification of a single ancestral gene into a successful toxin superfamily in highly venomous Australian funnel-web spiders Sandy S Pineda1†, Brianna L Sollod2,7†, David Wilson1,3,8†, Aaron Darling1,9, Kartik Sunagar4,5, Eivind A B Undheim1,6, Laurence Kely6, Agostinho Antunes4,5, Bryan G Fry1,6* and Glenn F King1* Abstract Background: Spiders have evolved pharmacologically complex venoms that serve to rapidly subdue prey and deter predators. The major toxic factors in most spider venoms are small, disulfide-rich peptides. While there is abundant evidence that snake venoms evolved by recruitment of genes encoding normal body proteins followed by extensive gene duplication accompanied by explosive structural and functional diversification, the evolutionary trajectory of spider-venom peptides is less clear. Results: Here we present evidence of a spider-toxin superfamily encoding a high degree of sequence and functional diversity that has evolved via accelerated duplication and diversification of a single ancestral gene. The peptides within this toxin superfamily are translated as prepropeptides that are posttranslationally processed to yield the mature toxin. The N-terminal signal sequence, as well as the protease recognition site at the junction of the propeptide and mature toxin are conserved, whereas the remainder of the propeptide and mature toxin sequences are variable. All toxin transcripts within this superfamily exhibit a striking cysteine codon bias. We show that different pharmacological classes of toxins within this peptide superfamily evolved under different evolutionary selection pressures. Conclusions: Overall, this study reinforces the hypothesis that spiders use a combinatorial peptide library strategy to evolve a complex cocktail of peptide toxins that target neuronal receptors and ion channels in prey and predators.