An annotated chromosome-level genome of a troglophilic spider (Pimoa clavata).

Climatic upheavals throughout Earth's history have driven species to subterranean refugia, where stable microclimates buffer environmental extremes. The spider family Pimoidae, relict lineages sensitive to thermal fluctuations, exemplifies this climate-driven habitat transition. Here, we present the first chromosome-level genome of Pimoa clavata, a troglophilic spider endemic to Beijing's mountainous caves.

A trade-off in evolution: the adaptive landscape of spiders without venom glands.

Background: Venom glands play a key role in the predation and defense strategies of almost all spider groups. However, the spider family Uloboridae lacks venom glands and has evolved an adaptive strategy: they excessively wrap their prey directly with spider silk instead of paralyzing it first with toxins. This shift in survival strategy is very fascinating, but the genetic underpinnings behind it are poorly understood.

Three new species of the extinct spider genus Furcembolus (Araneae: Pacullidae) from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Three new species of the extinct spider genus †Furcembolus Wunderlich, 2008 from Late Cretaceous Burmese amber are described: Furcembolus chuandiani Jiang Li spec. nov., F.

Sixteen new species of the genus Jäger, 2000 from China, Myanmar, and Thailand (Sparassidae, Heteropodinae).

Sixteen new species of Jäger, 2000 (Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) are described. Among them, eight species were collected from China: Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂♀), Zhao & Li, (♀) and Zhao & Li, (♂); seven from Myanmar: Zhao & Li, (♂♀), Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂), Zhao & Li, . (♂), Zhao & Li, (♂♀), Zhao & Li, (♂♀), Zhao & Li, (♂); and one from Thailand: Zhao & Li, (♂).