When Tarantula Venom Comes from a Misnamed Spider: The Importance of Taxonomic Accuracy in Theraphosid Toxinology

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  When Tarantula Venom Comes from a Misnamed Spider: The Importance of Taxonomic Accuracy in Theraphosid Toxinology I am very happy to share my most recent publication in Toxicon. This is a particularly meaningful publication for me because it brings together two areas that have become an important part of my work and personal interests: tarantulas and toxinology. At first glance, taxonomy and venom research may seem like two very different fields. In reality, they are closely connected. Before we can properly study the venom of a spider, we need to know which spider we are actually studying. Why the Name Matters A scientific name is much more than a label attached to an animal. It connects that animal to everything we report about it, including its biology, distribution, behavior, venom, toxins, and even its potential medical importance. When a tarantula is incorrectly identified, or when an outdated name continues to be used without considering changes in taxonomy, the problem ca...

OBITUARY ROBERTO MIGUEL CAPOCASALE 1937-2024

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OBITUARY ROBERTO MIGUEL CAPOCASALE 1937-2024

Professor Roberto Capocasale was a Uruguayan arachnologist who promoted the growth of Zoology and in particular Arachnid Systematics in Uruguay, being a reference in Latin America. He directed the Experimental Zoology Laboratory of the Clemente Estable Biological Research Institute. He promoted Arachnology, having influenced the training of Fernando Costa, Fernando Pérez-Miles, Miguel Simó and the undersigned, among others. From this group emerged the almost thirty current arachnologists.

Capocasale opened the doors of his Laboratory with great generosity in dark times of our country, providing opportunities to every curious naturalist. He was a founding member of the Graduate Program in Basic Sciences (PEDECIBA) and was an advisor to some of us. His teachings left their mark on all of us who knew them and we thank him for creating a place for our academic growth. He generated a pioneering publication for the region, with the magazine "Arachnologia", promoting academic meetings with the Natural Sciences Conference, which later became Zoology Congresses. He also joined the Zoological Society of Uruguay and at the time was honored for his actions, promoting culture and the dissemination of knowledge of national Zoology. His bibliographical work remains in our collection, as well as his wise advice that relates an ever-current work, his book “For the young zoologist of Uruguay.” New generations who did not know him will be able to read it and find inspiration for his work.

Carmen Viera