Venom gland transcriptomics of the Black Judaicus scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus) reveals its toxin arsenal and potential bioeconomic value

Scorpion venoms present both medical challenges and potential bioresources, yet many species remain understudied. This study focuses on the venom gland transcriptome of the Black Judaicus scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus), a potentially medically relevant species from the Middle East. Using RNA sequencing, we characterized its toxin-encoding precursors and predicted the venom repertoire, primarily comprising short and long scorpion toxins, along with enzymatic components. Our findings provide a foundational understanding of the venom profile of this species, paving the way for future research.