Sex Role–Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider

Posted by
  Sex Role–Dependent Behavioral and Architectural Divergence in a Jumping Spider ABSTRACT Sex differences in behavior and functional traits are often attributed to differences in mating effort intensity, but the role of sex-specific parental demands remains poorly understood. Using the jumping spider Toxeus maxillosus —where males engage in mate searching and courtship without providing parental care, while females provide extended maternal care from egg attendance to offspring maturity (around 3 months)—we conducted an exploratory investigation into whether these distinct selective pressures led to divergence in spatial behaviors and nest architecture. Results revealed that males and females showed equivalent accuracy, latency, and learning-related performance in both a route-planning test under water stress and a color-pattern associative memory task. In contrast, during nest-construction assays, females built complex, multi-entrance structures that closely matched the container'...

A Proposed Unified, Scalable Platform for Integrative Research on Venomous Species

Posted by

 

A Proposed Unified, Scalable Platform for Integrative Research on Venomous Species

Abstract

Venomous animal research is hampered by fragmented, specialized, and non-interoperable databases (isolated genomic, proteomic, and ecological data). Despite the immense promise of venomous organisms to yield novel bioactive compounds for pharmacological and evolutionary applications, the informatics landscape for such taxa has remained patchy, lacking macro-scale integration across species. We present VenomsBase, an integrated, modular resource that synthesizes multi-omics data, ecological metadata, and functional annotations for venom-bearing organisms. Following the FAIR guidelines, VenomsBase combines an ontology-driven architecture with big-data cloud workflows for sequence integration, motif clustering, 3D display, and linking ecological metadata. Standardized tools and training modules facilitate worldwide access to resources for both researchers in developed countries and in resource-limited areas. Its plug-and-play design allows for integration of additional analytical modules and extension to other species. One can also examine evolutionary trends and connect venom chemistry to ecological niches. VenomsBase would (i) accelerate the pace of venom discovery, whether for therapeutic purposes or evolutionary significance, by providing validated, cross-referenced data sets and community-driven curation, and (ii) foster an open, just, and innovation-ready venom research ecosystem.


Shaadi Mehr, Todd Castoe, Marymegan Daly, Florence Jungo, Kim N Kirchhoff, Ivan Koludarov, Stephen P Mackessy, Jason Macrander, Praveena Naidu, Maria Vittoria Modica, Elda E Sanchez, Giulia Zancolli, Mandë Holford, A Proposed Unified, Scalable Platform for Integrative Research on Venomous Species, GigaScience, 2026; giaf153, https://academic.oup.com/gigascience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/gigascience/giaf153/8450176