A new species of ant-eating spider (Araneae: Zodariidae) from the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan, with colour variation possibly associated with substrate

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  A new species of ant-eating spider (Araneae: Zodariidae) from the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan, with colour variation possibly associated with substrate ABSTRACT A new species of ant-eating spider,  Zodariellum gromovi   sp. n . (male, female; Zodariidae), is diagnosed, illustrated and described from the central part of the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan. The new species, collected from three localities, exhibits considerable colour variation that appears to be correlated with the type of substrate it inhabits. The potential for these colour morphs to represent independent lineages is briefly discussed, and the distribution of  Zodariellum  species in Uzbekistan is mapped. Fomichev, A. A., & Zamani, A. (2026). A new species of ant-eating spider (Araneae: Zodariidae) from the Kyzylkum Desert of Uzbekistan, with colour variation possibly associated with substrate.  Journal of Natural History ,  60 (21–24), 1181–1191. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933....

The bioprospecting potential of insect venoms as antibiotics: a mini review

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The bioprospecting potential of insect venoms as antibiotics: a mini review

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for new antibiotic candidates from unconventional biological sources. Insect venoms, although underexplored compared to other venomous taxa, harbor a chemically diverse array of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with significant therapeutic promises. This mini review synthesizes evidence from 15 original studies published over the past 15 years that examined the antimicrobial potential of insect venom components. Most investigations have focused on Hymenoptera—wasps, bees, and ants—where peptides such as mastoparans, polydim-I, macropin, melectin, and panurgines that exhibit broad-spectrum activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria while maintaining low toxicity toward mammalian cells. Collectively, these findings highlight insect venoms as a promising resource for antibiotic discovery. Nevertheless, critical challenges remain regarding peptide stability, delivery, pharmacokinetics, and clinical validation. Addressing these gaps through integrative approaches combining molecular, computational, and translational research will be key to advancing insect venom peptides as next-generation anti-infective agents.

Riva, H. G., & R., A. (2025). The bioprospecting potential of insect venoms as antibiotics: A mini review. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16, 1729786. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1729786