When Tarantula Venom Comes from a Misnamed Spider: The Importance of Taxonomic Accuracy in Theraphosid Toxinology

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  When Tarantula Venom Comes from a Misnamed Spider: The Importance of Taxonomic Accuracy in Theraphosid Toxinology I am very happy to share my most recent publication in Toxicon. This is a particularly meaningful publication for me because it brings together two areas that have become an important part of my work and personal interests: tarantulas and toxinology. At first glance, taxonomy and venom research may seem like two very different fields. In reality, they are closely connected. Before we can properly study the venom of a spider, we need to know which spider we are actually studying. Why the Name Matters A scientific name is much more than a label attached to an animal. It connects that animal to everything we report about it, including its biology, distribution, behavior, venom, toxins, and even its potential medical importance. When a tarantula is incorrectly identified, or when an outdated name continues to be used without considering changes in taxonomy, the problem ca...

On the survey of theridiosomatid spiders (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae) from Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve, China

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On the survey of theridiosomatid spiders (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae) from Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve, China

Abstract

Three species of the spider family Theridiosomatidae Simon, 1881 were identified from Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve, Hubei Province, China, and are presented here. They are Ogulnius barbandrewsi Miller, Griswold & Yin, 2009 (new provincial record), and two new species herein described based on males and females: Theridiosoma subdiwang sp. nov. and T. xiaoshuiense sp. nov. Photos of all three species, along with diagnoses and descriptions of the two new species are provided.

Hu, C., Liu, J. & Xu, X. (2026) On the survey of theridiosomatid spiders (Araneae: Theridiosomatidae) from Qizimeishan National Nature Reserve, China. Zootaxa, 5757 (1), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5757.1.4