Description of a new species of Zodarion Walckenaer (Araneae: Zodariidae) from Turkey

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  Description of a new species of Zodarion Walckenaer (Araneae: Zodariidae) from Turkey Introduction Zodariidae Thorell, commonly known as ant-eating spiders, is one of the most diverse spider families, comprising over 1300 species across 90 genera (World Spider Catalog  Citation 2026 ). Members of the family are distributed worldwide, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions (World Spider Catalog  Citation 2026 ). Within this large family, the genus Zodarion Walckenaer, is represented by 176 species (World Spider Catalog  Citation 2026 ). Currently, 157 Zodarion species are known from Europe (Nentwig et al .  Citation 2026 ). In Turkey, the family Zodariidae comprises 37 species in four genera. Most of them, 34 species, belong to the genus Zodarion (Danışman et al. ,  Citation 2025 ). Within the genus, eight species of the ‘ germanicum ’ species group are found in Turkey: Zodarion abantense Wunderlich, Z. bigaense Bosmans, Özkütük, Varlı, and Kunt, ...

Digestion in the arachnid Mischonyx squalidus as a probable source of lipids to synthesize opiliones defense and communication molecules

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Digestion in the arachnid Mischonyx squalidus as a probable source of lipids to synthesize opiliones defense and communication molecules

Abstract

Opiliones (Arachnida) comprises approximately 7,000 species. Due to their lack of venom glands, their defense is mainly based on the secretion of scent glands, which also play roles in communication and antimicrobial activity. This odoriferous secretion has a diverse composition according to harvestmen species but frequently contains benzoquinones. Studies of benzoquinone synthesis intermediates suggest a pathway based on lipid metabolism from diet. This study provides the first transcriptomic and enzymatic analysis of the midgut of Mischonyx squalidus to understand the acquisition of nutrients. The enzymatic analysis tested 11 digestive enzymes and found high lipase activity and moderate and low activity for peptidases and carbohydrases, respectively. Transcriptome sequencing yielded 19,658 unigenes, predominating enzymes and binding proteins closely associated with Xiphosura and Scorpiones proteins; a third of which are hydrolases. A multigene lipase family is expressed. Cathepsin L peptidases were prominently abundant, indicating their relevance for protein digestion. Additionally, toxin-like proteins and lipid metabolism-related enzymes, such as phospholipase A2 and NPC cholesterol transporters, were represented, indicating a sophisticated digestive and metabolic system for lipids. These findings suggest a link between lipid digestive metabolism and defensive and communicative molecule synthesis, underscoring Opiliones’ unique evolutionary adaptations.

Silva, J. O., Viala, V. L., Dias, R. O., Ferreira, C., Terra, W. R., & Lopes, A. R. (2025). Digestion in the arachnid Mischonyx squalidus as a probable source of lipids to synthesize opiliones defense and communication molecules. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-18180-x