Hidden in the woods: A new species of Hexura (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Antrodiaetidae) from a highly restricted range in Idaho

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  Hidden in the woods: A new species of Hexura (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Antrodiaetidae) from a highly restricted range in Idaho Abstract A new species of Hexura Simon, 1885 is described from a very restricted geographic range in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, 500 km east of the previously known distribution of the genus in the Coastal Ranges and western Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington. This work provides the first taxonomic information for this group in almost 50 years, including a phylogenomic framework for the genus within the mygalomorph superfamily Atypoidea , based on Ultraconserved elements ( UCEs ). Hexura vandal sp. nov . can be distinguished from the other two described species by a combination of morphological, molecular, and geographic characteristics. Lastly, we discuss the need for conservation actions to secure the survival of the species. Calatayud-Mascarell A, Briggs EJ, Hamilton CA (2026) Hidden in the woods: A new species of Hexura (Araneae, Mygalomo...

Spider taxonomy: A historical and global perspective

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Spider taxonomy: A historical and global perspective

Using comprehensive records from the World Spider Catalog, this study presents an in-depth, data-driven analysis of global trends in spider taxonomy, revealing an exceptional acceleration during the first quarter of the 21st century. Of the more than 53 000 extant spider species described since 1757, 19 159—approximately 36%—were described during the last 25 years. In 59 families, the number of new species described during this period exceeded the total accumulated over the entire 20th century. Asia emerged as the leading continental hotspot for spider discovery, with China at the forefront. The number of species described in China during the 25-year window was 1.5 times greater than the combined total documented over the preceding 243 years, with Chinese arachnologists responsible for 23.9% of all new species described in the last 25 years. Three taxonomists—Eugène Simon, Norman Platnick, and Shu-Qiang Li—rank as the most prolific contributors to spider systematics in history. These findings reflect a shift in the global center of arachnological research and underscore the growing scientific output from China. Patterns were examined from three complementary angles: temporal acceleration in species descriptions, individual contributions of leading taxonomists, and the emergence of Chinese arachnology as a dominant force in global taxonomy. Our analysis also emphasizes the critical role of sustained international collaboration in advancing biodiversity discovery.

Xiao-Qing Zhang, Xin-Yu Li, Yuri M. Marusik, Mei-Chen Yan, Rui-Han Yang, Ya-Xuan Zhang, Fan-Yu Bu, Yu Ding, Ming-Yue Wang, Zhi-Yuan Yao. 2025. Spider taxonomy: A historical and global perspective. Zoological Research, 46(6): 1387-1395. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.229