The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides

Posted by
  The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides Abstract Mesobuthus martensii , the source species of the traditional Chinese medicine “Quanxie”, has long been utilized for its therapeutic properties. Venom peptides are recognized as the major active molecular basis of these pharmacological activities. Despite this, their development as therapeutic agents remains poorly explored. In this study, we performed an integrated multi-omics investigation to systematically explore the venom peptides of Mesobuthus martensii . We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of Mesobuthus martensii using third-generation sequencing technologies, yielding a genome size of 1.08 Gb with a contig N50 of 46.46 Mb. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses led to the identification of 51 putative novel venom peptide candidates. From the broader venom peptide set, five lysine- and arginine-rich candidates were select...

An integrative study of a new species of Melloina Brignoli: an additional support for Melloinidae new family (Araneae: Mygalomorphae)

Posted by

 


An integrative study of a new species of Melloina Brignoli: an additional support for Melloinidae new family (Araneae: Mygalomorphae)

ABSTRACT

Melloina is a genus that has long occupied an unstable taxonomic position, fluctuating between the families Paratropididae and Theraphosidae. The most recent proposal, in 2020, placed it within Theraphosidae. Alternatively, the phylogenetic relationships among Paratropididae and Theraphosidae have been controversial and subject to revision over time. Early studies suggested Paratropididae as the sister group of Theraphosidae, but recent molecular analyses have revealed that Barychelidae is more closely related to Theraphosidae than Paratropididae (Paratropis). In this study, we describe a new species, Melloina condesa sp. n., based on a morphological and multilocus approach. Phylogenetic results, using a total evidence framework, recovered Melloina as an independent lineage more closely related to Theraphosidae and Barychelidae. Based on these findings and on the comparison of diagnostic characters among the taxa under discussion, we propose a new family, Melloinidae, to include all species of Melloina.

Perafán, C., Montes de Oca, L., & Pérez-Miles, F. (2025). An integrative study of a new species of Melloina Brignoli: an additional support for Melloinidae new family (Araneae: Mygalomorphae). Journal of Natural History, 59(37–40), 2337–2353. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2555445