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The spider family Sicariidae includes three genera,  Hexophthalma ,  Sicarius  and  Loxosceles . The three genera share a common characteristic in their venoms: the presence of Sphingomyelinases D (SMase D). SMases D are considered the toxins that cause the main pathological effects of the  Loxosceles  venom, that is, those responsible for the development of loxoscelism. Some studies have shown that  Sicarius  spiders have less or undetectable SMase D activity in their venoms, when compared to  Hexophthalma . In contrast, our group has shown that  Sicarius ornatus , a Brazilian species, has active SMase D and toxic potential to envenomation. However, few species of  Sicarius  have been characterized for their toxic potential. In order to contribute to a better understanding about the toxicity of  Sicarius  venoms, the aim of this study was to characterize the toxic properties of male and female venoms from  Sicarius tropicus  and compare them with that from  Loxosceles laeta , one of the most toxic  Loxosceles  venoms. We show here that  S. tropicus  venom presents active SMases D. However, regarding hemolysis development, it seems that these toxins in this species present different molecular mechanisms of action than that described for  Loxosceles  venoms, whereas it is similar to those present in bacteria containing SMase D. Besides, our results also suggest that, in addition to the interspecific differences, intraspecific variations in the venoms’ composition may play a role in the toxic potential of venoms from  Sicarius  species.

Sphingomyelinase D Activity in Sicarius tropicus Venom: Toxic Potential and Clues to the Evolution of SMases D in the Sicariidae Family