Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain

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  Hidden diversity in plain sight: four new species of Nemesia (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) from the Córdoba Province of Spain Abstract A taxonomic revision of the species of Nemesia Audouin, 1826, distributed in the vicinity of Córdoba City, southern Spain, is presented. Four new species are described: Nemesia morana sp. nov. (female), N. kodama sp. nov. (male and female), N. rosae sp. nov. (male and female), and N. tamajoni sp. nov. (male and female). These species are distinguished by distinct morphological characters, including the shape of the spermathecae, palpal bulbs, and spinnerets, as well as by burrow architecture. Fieldwork was conducted across two of the three major habitat types in the region—the humid, forested mountains of Sierra Morena and the croplands and riparian forests of the Guadalquivir Valley—while the third, the “campiña”, which is mainly composed of agricultural landscapes, remains poorly explored. Sampling methods included pitfall trapping and the direct e...

Biomechanical Analysis of Silk as a Tendon or Ligament Replacement

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Biomechanical Analysis of Silk as a Tendon or Ligament Replacement

Abstract

Advances in silk-based tissue-engineered constructs offer promising opportunities to improve tendon and ligament repair by increasing graft availability and enhancing patient outcomes. The rising demand for tendon and ligament reconstruction highlights the need for biomaterials that address limitations of autografts and allografts, including donor-site morbidity, limited supply, and immune rejection risks. Silk-based scaffolds leverage their tunable biomechanical properties—such as Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain to failure—to closely mimic native tendon and ligament function. This review synthesizes current literature on silk-derived grafts, summarizing their mechanical performance, fabrication strategies, and translational potential. Emphasis is placed on spider silk, which demonstrates exceptional tensile strength, elasticity, and biocompatibility, making it a strong candidate for next-generation scaffolds. Remaining challenges include optimizing in vivo degradation rates, enhancing tendon-to-bone (enthesis) integration, developing tunable structural and biochemical features, improving manufacturability, and validating clinical efficacy through standardized testing and robust clinical trials. Additional limitations to the application of silk as a biomaterial scaffold include high production costs, challenges associated with controlled spinning and processing, and the current lack of scalable manufacturing methods. Continued innovation and rigorous preclinical and clinical evaluation will be critical to realizing silk’s potential in advancing tendon and ligament repair and improving long-term functional outcomes.

Wagner, C.; McCloskey, C.; Williams, K.; Teixeira, K.; Brooks, B.D.; Brooks, A.E. Biomechanical Analysis of Silk as a Tendon or Ligament Replacement. Polymers 2025, 17, 3052. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17223052