BEYOND SPECIES-LEVEL DIFFERENCES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF INTRASPECIFIC VENOM PLASTICITY IN SPIDERS

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  BEYOND SPECIES-LEVEL DIFFERENCES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF INTRASPECIFIC VENOM PLASTICITY IN SPIDERS Abstract Spider venoms represent a diverse array of biological cocktails, crucial for predator-prey dynamics and ecological interactions. While differences in venom composition between species (interspecific variation) are well-characterized, the extent and drivers of intraspecific venom plasticity remain a critical, underexplored area. This comprehensive review synthesizes current research on venom variation within species, emphasizing the multifaceted factors that govern this dynamic phenotype. Venom composition, yield, and bioactivity are significantly influenced by both endogenous and exogenous elements. Endogenous factors, mainly sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic stage, often induce profound changes in potency, reflecting sex-specific ecological pressures, predation risk profiles, and shifting reproductive investments. Similarly, exogenous pressures, including seasonal and g...

A phylogenomic analysis of the genus Auyantepuia (Scorpiones: Chactidae) in French Guiana with the descriptions of two new species

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A phylogenomic analysis of the genus Auyantepuia (Scorpiones: Chactidae) in French Guiana with the descriptions of two new species

Abstract

A review of the scorpions of the genus Auyantepuia (Scorpiones, Chactidae) in French Guiana is conducted using an integrative taxonomic approach combining molecular analysis performed on the mitochondrial genome of most species occurring in the territory and more traditional morphological analyses, leading to the descriptions of two new species, Auyantepuia kwata sp. nov. and Auyantepuia manmandinan sp. nov. Diagnoses are presented for all Auyantepuia species occurring in French Guiana and an identification key is proposed. The total number of recognized species in the genus Auyantepuia species is raised to 15.

Ythier, E., Chevalier, J., Moreau, L., & Murienne, J. (2026). A phylogenomic analysis of the genus Auyantepuia (Scorpiones: Chactidae) in French Guiana with the descriptions of two new species. European Journal of Taxonomy, 1034(1), 31-57. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2026.1034.3147