Integrated Molecular Identification and Quantitative Analysis of Diet-Dependent Venom Variation in Leiurus quinquestriatus Scorpion Species

Abstract

Scorpions are ancient and successful arthropods that have lived on Earth for millions of years. A key feature for their evolutionary success is the presence of specialized venom glands, which produce the venom. Scorpion venom is a complex mixture of bioactive compounds, and its composition and yield are influenced by various ecological factors.This study investigated the effect of prey type on venom yield and protein profile in the medically significant scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus (the "deathstalker"), a species renowned for venom containing therapeutic peptides such as chlorotoxin. Specimens were molecularly identified using 16S and 12S rDNA sequencing to confirm species identity. A four-month feeding experiment (n = 50) was conducted to evaluate two different dietary regimes. The results demonstrated that the mitochondrial 16S and 12S rDNA markers are reliable tools for scorpion identification. Dietary variation significantly influenced venom yield; scorpions fed a super mealworm diet exhibited a 64% increase in venom yield compared to the alternative regime. Notably, no cannibalistic behavior was observed among the specimens studied during the experiment. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE analysis revealed distinct protein banding patterns between the dietary groups, indicating diet-induced alterations in venom protein composition. These findings highlight the critical impact of diet on scorpion venom production. Understanding these factors is essential for optimizing venom yield for ecological studies and venom-based biodiscovery.