Taxonomy of Australian Funnel-web spiders using rp-HPLC/ESI-MS profiling techniques.
The complex nature of venom from spider species offers a unique natural source of potential pharmacological tools and therapeutic leads. The increased interest in spider venom molecules requires reproducible and precise identification methods. The current taxonomy of the Australian Funnel-web spiders is incomplete, and therefore, accurate identification of these spiders is difficult. Here, we present a study of venom from numerous morphologically similar specimens of the Hadronyche infensa species group collected from a variety of geographic locations in southeast Queensland. Analysis of the crude venoms using online reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (rp-HPLC/ESI-MS) revealed that the venom profiles provide a useful means of specimen identification, from the species level to species variants. Tables defining the descriptor molecules for each group of specimens were constructed and provided a quick reference of the relationship between one specimen and another. The study revealed that the morphologically similar specimens from the southeast Queensland region are a number of different species/species variants. Furthermore, the study supports aspects of the current taxonomy with respect to the H. infensa species group. Analysis of Australian Funnel-web spider venom by rp-HPLC/ESI-MS provides a rapid and accurate method of species/species variant identification.
Wilson
David
D
Xenome Ltd, P.O. Box 6295, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia. david.wilson@xenome.com
Alewood
Paul F
PF
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis*; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000032:analysis*; D013112:Spiders / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013111:Spider Venoms