Cross-reactivity of a monoclonal antibody to the haemocyanin of various scorpion species

1. 1. A monoclonal antibody has been produced against the external subunit Aa 6 of the haemocyanin of the scorpion Androctonus australis (Buthidae). 2. 2. This monoclonal antibody cross-reacts with some, but not all, the haemocyanins of the family Buthidae using ELISA and PAGE immunoblotting. 3. 3. The intramolecular localization of the epitope is well-preserved within all the haemocyanins on which it is present. 4. 4. These results are correlated with morphological characteristics of the animals and may be used for a revision of the scorpion systematics.