Taxonomic revision of the wolf spider genus Artoria (Araneae, Lycosidae, Artoriinae) from Northern Territory and Queensland, with additions to the fauna of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

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  Taxonomic revision of the wolf spider genus Artoria (Araneae, Lycosidae, Artoriinae) from Northern Territory and Queensland, with additions to the fauna of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory Abstract Artoria Thorell, 1877 is revised for the Northern Territory and Queensland. Three species are recorded from the Northern Territory: A. parvula Thorell, 1877 (♂♀, type species), A. superelliptica sp. (♀) and A. vectis sp. Nov. (♂♀). Twenty-seven species (including 18 new ones) are recorded from Queensland: A. albopilata (Urquhart, 1893) (♂♀), A. berenice (L. Koch, 1877) (♂♀), A. bicornuta sp. nov. (♂), A. catinata sp. nov. (♂♀), A. coclearia sp. nov. (♂♀), A. cunicularia sp. nov. (♂♀), A. geniculata sp. ( ♂♀), A. globula sp. nov. (♂♀), A. grahammilledgei Framenau & Baehr, 2018 (♂♀), A . halterata sp. nov. (♀), A. hamifera sp. ( ♂♀), A. laciniata sp. nov. (♀), A. lineata (L. Koch, 1877) (♂♀), A. lingulata sp. nov. (♂♀), A. mckayi Framenau, 2002 (♂♀), A. nasuta sp....

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 geographic variations, drive adaptive shifts in venom profiles in response to environmental gradients like temperature and prey availability. Furthermore, recent advances in proteomics and transcriptomics reveal substantial individual-level chemo-diversity, underscoring the complexity of underlying regulatory mechanisms. A paradigm shift is necessary, viewing venom not as a static species characteristic but as a highly plastic, environmentally and genetically mediated trait. Future research must prioritize high-resolution, long-term intra-individual and population-level studies, especially in globally underrepresented taxa and regions, to fully elucidate the ecological and evolutionary forces shaping this crucial biological system.
Anna Anannya, K., & Malamel, J. J. (2026). BEYOND SPECIES-LEVEL DIFFERENCES: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF INTRASPECIFIC VENOM PLASTICITY IN SPIDERS. Toxicon, 109121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2026.109121