From Taxonomic Accuracy to Toxin Naming: A Welcome Dialogue in Toxicon

  From Taxonomic Accuracy to Toxin Naming: A Welcome Dialogue in Toxicon By Luis A. Roque | Arácnido Taxonomy When I submitted my correspondence, “When tarantula venom comes from a misnamed spider: The importance of taxonomic accuracy in theraphosid toxinology,” to Toxicon , I hoped it would encourage a broader conversation. The purpose was to draw attention to a problem that benefits from the experience of people working across taxonomy, venom research, and biological databases. Dr. Volker Herzig’s response, “The need for a unified toxin nomenclature for consistent toxin naming,” is precisely the kind of engagement I hoped to see. His contribution acknowledges the importance of identifying venom-source organisms accurately while bringing another essential question into focus: How do we maintain continuity in toxin names when taxonomy and our understanding of toxin function change? Two connected challenges My original correspondence focused on the biological source of venom. In t...

Polish common names of tarantulas (Theraphosidae)

 


Polish common names of tarantulas (Theraphosidae)

Abstract
The book 'Tarantulas (Theraphosidae): Etymology of Scientific Names and the Proposal of Common Names' is a comprehensive collection of all described tarantula species (as of January 12 th 2025), featuring explanations of the etymology of scientific names along with proposed common names in Polish. The work also addresses topics such as habitat, distribution, sex description, anatomy and legal aspects of keeping tarantulas. It is the first project in the world to propose non-specialist (common) names for Theraphosidae. The entire work has been peer-reviewed and has received support from experts in the fields of arachnology and tarantula husbandry.

Szymański, Dominik & Szymański, Dawid & Kilijanek, Jakub & Lis, Krzysztof. (2025). Polish common names of tarantulas (Theraphosidae).