Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

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  Evidence of Xysticus ulmi (Hahn) (Araneae: Thomisidae) Predation on Adult Cassida viridis Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) have several morphological and behavioral antipredator traits. For example, the soft larvae accumulate their feces and exuviae from previous instars to create a so-called “fecal shield” (Engel 1936; Kosior 1975), which functions as a defense against many predator guilds (Eisner and Eisner 2000; Eisner et al. 1968; Vencl et al. 1999, 2005; Vencl and Srygley 2013). Adults are characterized by their explanate and well-sclerotized pronota and elytra, which cover all soft parts of the body, thereby forming a tortoise-shaped shield (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Jolivet 1997; Jolivet and Verma 2002; Selman 1988; Windsor et al. 1992) (Fig. 1A). Furthermore, the adults are known for their ability to grip firmly to surfaces with both tarsal claws and pads, which renders them difficult to capture (Buzzi 1988; Engel 1936; Joliv...

ERGA-BGE reference genome of Leviellus thorelli, a common orb-weaving spider representing the Zygiellidae family

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ERGA-BGE reference genome of Leviellus thorelli, a common orb-weaving spider representing the Zygiellidae family

Abstract

The Leviellus thorelli reference genome provides the first high-quality genomic resource for Zygiellidae, a family of orb-weaving spiders with a dynamic systematic history and distinct for constructing webs with a characteristic spiral-free sector. As part of the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA), we generated a chromosome-level assembly for L. thorelli that is organized into 13 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 2.20 Gb and is composed of 939 contigs and 130 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 5.4 Mb and 167.1 Mb, respectively. This genome represents a valuable addition to the growing collection of spider genomes. With Zygiellidae now included among the available genomes of true orb-weavers, this is a key resource for comparative studies into the genomic basis of orb web and silk evolution.

Gregorič M, Bužan E, Böhne A et al. ERGA-BGE reference genome of Leviellus thorelli, a common orb-weaving spider representing the Zygiellidae family [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Open Res Europe 2025, 5:365 (https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.21671.1)