Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the adaptation to semi-aquatic and aquatic life in spiders

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  Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal the adaptation to semi-aquatic and aquatic life in spiders Abstract Spiders are largely terrestrial, but some lineages have independently adapted to marine and freshwater habitats. Although physiological and behavioral traits supporting these evolutionary transitions have been characterized, the genomic basis of adaptation to aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats in spiders remains unclear. Here, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly for the aquatic spider Argyroneta aquatica. Comparative analysis of 22 spider species supports two independent transitions in semi-aquatic (∼56 Mya) and aquatic (∼44 Mya) lineages. The aquatic spider show distinct respiratory morphology compared with terrestrial spiders, including anterior spiracles and denser tracheoles. Molecular evolution analyses identified lineage-specific shifts in selective constraint or evidence of positive selection linked to trachea development (e.g., Wnt-1, Catenin beta, TMEM23...

Current knowledge of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from Sinaloa, Mexico: species checklist and new records, including the first record of Plexippus petersi Karsch, 1878 for America

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Current knowledge of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from Sinaloa, Mexico: species checklist and new records, including the first record of Plexippus petersi Karsch, 1878 for America

Abstract

In this work, we provide the first spider checklist for Sinaloa, Mexico. After reviewing the literature and the examination of spiders collected in Sinaloa, the checklist comprises 31 families, 82 genera, and 118 species. The families Salticidae (17 species), Araneidae (15), and Theridiidae (13) are the most diverse in Sinaloa. Furthermore, we report the first record of the jumping spider Plexippus petersi Karsch, 1878 in America along with twelve state records of spiders of the families Anyphaenidae (1), Diguetidae (1), Filistatidae (1), Pholcidae (2), Salticidae (4), Sparassidae (1), and Thomisidae (2). Furthermore, we provide photographs of the habitus and copulatory organs of all new records.

Alcántar-Valenzuela, J. J., Chamé Vázquez, D., Jiménez, M.-L., & Castañeda de los Santos, G. (2024). Current knowledge of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from Sinaloa, Mexico: species checklist and new records, including the first record of Plexippus petersi Karsch, 1878 for America. ACTA ZOOLÓGICA MEXICANA (N.S.), 40(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.21829/azm.2024.4012671