It has been proposed that the subgenus Archaeotityus comprises the most ancient species group within the medically important scorpion genus Tityus. cDNA encoding sodium-channel active toxins from the type species of this subgenus, Tityus clathratus (central Venezuela), have been isolated and sequenced. Two cDNAs were retrieved that encoded 61 amino acid-long putative neurotoxins named Tcl1 and Tcl2. Sequence identity was highest (87%) when both were compared with β-toxin Ts1 from the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus and its homologs from T. bahiensis, T. stigmurus, and T. costatus. A Bayesian analysis indicated statistical support for the grouping of T. clathratus Tcl1 and Tcl2 with Brazilian gamma-like β-toxins, reinforcing previous phylogenetic studies which suggested an evolutionary relationship between the subgenus Archaeotityus and scorpion species inhabiting southeast South America belonging to the subgenus Tityus.

Introduction: The physical activity and adequate food plays a key role in improving health and the control of diseases. Objective: This paper aims at determining the nutritional state through antropometric measures, socioeconomic level, the most common illnesses and type of physical activity, beyond food consumption and the place where meals are taken, of under-graduate students of the Nutrition course in UFPE. Methods: The sample is constituted of 68 female students, of different periods and at ages between 18 and 27 years old. The process of selection of the sample was for convenience. The students voluntarily participated and answered three questionnaires, respectively, on their socioeconomic level (income of the family) and possible illnesses they had, measures of the cutaneous folds and type of practiced physical activity; register of consumed foods and local where the meals were carried. Statistical analysis was performed by absolute frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation. The margin of error used in the testing employees was 5%. Results: In relation to the incomes, they had predominated above three minimum wages (86%), the parents have a predominant role in the expenditure of their study (46%), followed by the father (24%), mother (9%), husband (4%), other responsible ones (10%); 7% did not give information. The most common illnesses were: allergic rinite, tonsilitis, sleeplessness and intestinal constipation. The weight, the height, the index of body mass and the relation waist hip of the students were within normal standards. The abdominal circumference varied only in 2.57 cm between the studied age range. In relation to the practice of physical activities, 67% were sedentary, 20% practiced light activity and 13% moderate. In relation to where the meals are had, breakfast, in its majority (76%), was carried at home, followed by supper (56%), while lunch (41%) and snack 1 (34%), at University. Among the pupils who did not inform the place where they had their meals there was a high percentage for the big meals and a small one for the minor ones. The main kinds of consumed meals were breakfast, lunch and supper (98%). For the small meals, the values were: snack 1 (54%), snack 2 (61%), snack 3 (45%). The analysis of food consumption for three days disclosed ingestion of energy with deficit of 21% in relation to the recommended one (p < 0.001); the macro-nutrients showed percentages within the standards; the intake of fiber (11.8 g/day) was less than recommended (p < 0.001). Meat, eggs and cereals were ingested daily (for about 80%); vegetables (40%), legumes, fruits and candies (25% 30%), around four or six days a week. Roots and tubercles, salty, embedded and non alcoholic drinks were consumed from one to three days weekly (70%). Animal guts were not consumed by 50% of the studied population. Conclusions: Having analyzed all this, the studied students need to modify their food habits, acquiring knowledge on the importance of a balanced diet, as well as the practice of physical activity systematically, to prevent illnesses and attain a better quality of life.

Introducción: La actividad física y una alimentación adecuada ejercen un papel esencial al perfeccionamiento de la salud y al control de enfermedades. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido determinar el estado nutricional a través de medidas antropométricas, nivel socioeconómico, enfermedades más comunes y tipo de actividad física, además del consumo alimentario y el lugar donde son realizadas las comidas de los estudiantes de Graduación en Nutrición de la UFPE. Material y métodos: La muestra se ha constituido de 68 alumnas del Curso de Nutrición, de distintos períodos escolares y con edades entre 18 y 27 años. El proceso de selección de la muestra ha sido por conveniencia. Las estudiantes han participado voluntariamente y han contestado a tres cuestionarios, respectivamente, sobre el nivel socioeconómico (renta familiar) y posibles enfermedades que padecían, medidas de los pliegues cutáneos y tipo de actividad física practicada; registro de los alimentos consumidos y lugar donde las comidas eran realizadas. El análisis estadístico se ha realizado a través de frecuencias absolutas, porcentuales, promedios y desvío estándar. El margen de error utilizado en los tests empleados ha sido de 5%. Resultados: En cuanto a los rendimientos, han predominado los superiores a tres sueldos mínimos (86%), los padres tienen un papel determinante en el costeo del estudio (46%), seguido del padre (24%), madre (9%), marido (4%), otros responsables (10%); el 7% no han dado información. Las enfermedades más comunes eran: rinitis alérgica, amigdalitis, insomnio y constipación intestinal. El peso, estatura, el índice de masa corporal y la relación cintura cadera de las estudiantes seguían los patrones normales. La circunferencia abdominal ha variado en solo 2,57 cm entre los grupos etarios investigados. En cuanto a la práctica de actividades físicas, el 68% eran sedentarias, el 20% practicaban actividad leve y el 13% moderada. Sobre el lugar de realización de las comidas, el desayuno, en su mayoría (76%), era realizado en casa, seguido de la cena (56%). Mientras que el almuerzo (41%) y la merienda 1 (34%), en la Universidad. Entre las alumnas que no han informado del lugar en el que hacían las comidas ha habido un porcentaje mayor para las grandes y menor para las pequeñas comidas. Los tipos principales de comidas consumidas han sido desayuno, almuerzo y cena (98%). Para las pequeñas comidas, los valores han sido: merienda 1 (54%), merienda 2 (61%), merienda 3 (45%). El análisis del consumo alimentario por tres días ha revelado ingestión de energía con déficit del 21% en relación a lo recomendado (p < 0,001); los macronutrientes han presentado porcentajes de acuerdo con los patrones; el consumo de fibras (11,8 g/día) ha sido inferior a lo recomendado (p < 0,001). Carne, huevos y cereales eran ingeridos diariamente (cerca del 80%); verduras (40%), leguminosas, frutas y dulces (25 a 30%), durante cuatro a seis días por semana. Raíces y tubérculos, salados, embutidos y bebidas no alcohólicas eran consumidos de uno a tres días semanales (70%). Las vísceras no han sido consumidas por el 50% de la población investigada. Conclusiones: Por lo expuesto, el grupo de alumnos estudiado necesita cambiar sus hábitos alimentarios, concienciándose sobre la importancia de una comida equilibrada, así como realizar sistemáticamente actividad física, para prevención de enfermedades y obtención de una mejor calidad de vida.

This work reports the second record of the scorpion Tityus bahiensis Perty from Venezuela. The specimen was found alive in a wardrobe at a hotel resort in Margarita Island, northeastern Venezuela. Morphological characterization allowed its assignment to the Tityus bahiensis population inhabiting the southernmost area of the species' geographic range, e.g. the state of São Paulo in Brazil, northern Argentina and Paraguay. The fact that the only available Venezuelan antiscorpion (anti-Tityus discrepans) serum does not neutralize the effects of alpha- and beta-toxin from Tityus serrulatus venom (which resembles in composition that of T. bahiensis) constitutes a warning to local clinicians confronted with envenomations by noxious species transported to Venezuela from Brazil by human agency.

Tityus gonzalespongai n. sp. is a species endemic to the high mountains of Anzoátegui State, Venezuela. It is found between 1,600 and 2,200 m in ''La Laguna'' mountain. Its habitat includes the area of ''Bosque Húmedo Montano Bajo'' with the type of vegetation of ''Bosque Ombrófilo Montano Siempreverde'' (''Bosques Nublados Costeros'' that includes the ''Subpáramos Arbustivos''). It is distinguished from other Tityus species (T. caripitensis, T. monaguensis, and T. nororientalis) by the following characteristics: 1- the disposition of the trichobothria in the pedipalps; 2- ventral keels of the caudal segments of the metasoma (segment II, double and parallel in the proximal two thirds, then convergent and finally divergent in the base; segments III and IV, double and parallel in the basal third, then convergent in a single keel that divides in the base); 3- the number of lines of denticles of the movable finger of the right pedipalp (male = 14; female = 14); 4- pectineous teeth (right/left: male = 15/15: female = 16/15); 5- color: movable and fixed fingers dark brown; prosoma and metasoma, ochre; caudal segment IV, slightly darker than the previous ones; V and the telson, dark brown. T. gonzalespongai belongs to the ''androcottoides'' group and presents a marked sexual dimorphism. It is the first species of the Tityus genus described and reported in Anzoátegui State, expanding this taxa distribution in Venezuela.

In Venezuela, the restricted manner of works on scorpion envenoming has contributed little to the real magnitude and knowledge of this subject in our country. The lack of basic scorpiofauna knowledge, distribution, clinical manifestations, and especially of specific treatments justify multidisciplinary studies. The purpose of these studies is to obtain information that allows the elaboration of a preventive plan. This paper demonstrates the magnitude of scorpion envenomings in Venezuela.

This paper describes a new species of scorpion of the Tityus genus, Tityus caripitensis (Scorpionida: Buthidae). This species can be found in Caripito, Bolívar municipality of Monagas State, Venezuela. The number of species of Tityus genus in Venezuela has increased to 37 with the inclusion of Tityus caripitensis. A diagnosis of the most significant morphological characteristics of both males and females of this new species, which has been causing serious envenomings in the Bolívar and Punceres municipalities, has been carried out.