Determination of species‐specific components in the venom of Parabuthus scorpions from southern Africa using matrix‐assisted laser desorption time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze mass spectra of scorpions belonging to the genus Parabuthus (Pocock 1890) by means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) and to construct a species‐specific venom code for species identification. The venom compositions of sixteen Parabuthus species, occurring in southern Africa, were characterized using representative peaks in the molecular mass range of 6400–8400 Da. This mass range is characteristic for the typical long‐chain neurotoxins influencing sodium channels. Only a few of these peptides have been sequenced up to now. The impetus for development of these species‐specific profiles was the observation of unique, highly reproducible mass spectral peaks within a specific species. An identification label for all the different species could be found using a minimum number of peaks. MALDI‐TOFMS is therefore proposed as a complementary method to morphological and behavioural characteristics for species and ultimately subspecies discrimination. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.