Spitting spiders (Araneae: Scytodidae) from Cretaceous Kachin amber reveal deep divergence times and Burma Terrane-linked biogeography

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  Spitting spiders (Araneae: Scytodidae) from Cretaceous Kachin amber reveal deep divergence times and Burma Terrane-linked biogeography Abstract The family Scytodidae is known for its unique spitting predatory mechanism, but its fossil record is extremely scarce, with reliable Mesozoic records previously lacking. Based on two male specimens preserved in Kachin amber, we report the first unequivocal Cretaceous record of this family—† Stedotuber gen. nov., with two new species, † S. longitibialis sp. nov. and † S. brevitibialis sp. nov. Maximum parsimony analysis of morphological characters recovers the new genus within the subfamily Scyloxinae, forming a sister-group relationship with the extant genus Stedocys . Tip-dating analyses estimate the crown age of Scytodidae at the Late Jurassic (~150.32 Ma), the crown age of Scyloxinae in the Early Cretaceous (~136.71 Ma), and the split between † Stedotuber gen. nov. and Stedocys in the late Early Cretaceous (~123.68 Ma), all substa...

35th European Congress of Arachnology: Book of Abstracts

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35th European Congress of Arachnology: Book of Abstracts

The 35th European Congress of Arachnology was held in Zadar, Croatia, from 31 August to 5 September 2025, bringing together researchers, taxonomists, ecologists, and systematists from across Europe and beyond to exchange current knowledge on arachnid biology. This congress continued the long-standing tradition of the European arachnological community by providing a dedicated forum for the presentation and discussion of advances in taxonomy, phylogenetics, biogeography, ecology, behavior, physiology, and conservation of arachnids, while also fostering collaboration between established experts and emerging scholars in the field.

The link provided grants access to the official Book of Abstracts from the congress, which compiles the scientific contributions presented throughout the meeting. This volume reflects the breadth and depth of contemporary arachnological research, encompassing oral presentations, poster sessions, and thematic symposia that collectively highlight methodological innovation, novel taxonomic insights, and integrative approaches to arachnid science. As such, it serves not only as a record of the scientific discourse that took place in Zadar, but also as a valuable reference for researchers seeking to stay informed about current trends and ongoing work within the discipline.

By making the Book of Abstracts publicly available, the organizers of the 35th European Congress of Arachnology have contributed meaningfully to the dissemination of knowledge and the continued advancement of arachnological research. The materials accessible through this link will be of particular interest to scientists, students, and citizen researchers who wish to engage with the latest findings presented at the congress and to situate their own work within the broader context of contemporary European and international arachnology.

Congress Home Page: 35th European Congress of Arachnology

Book of Abstracts: 35th European Congress of Arachnology: Book of Abstracts