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 When a tarantula is incorrectly identified, or when an outdated name continues to be used without considering changes in taxonomy, the problem ca...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 validity of Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae): a replacement name for Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and Pérez-Miles, 2025

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On the validity of Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae): a replacement name for Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and Pérez-Miles, 2025

ABSTRACT

The family name Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and PérezMiles, 2025 proposed for the mygalomorph genus Melloina Brignoli, 1985 is invalid. Reexamination of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) confirms that Glabropelmatinae Raven, 1985 holds priority, as it was correctly established when the type species was under Glabropelma Raven, 1985. Consequently, the family name Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 is valid.

Perafán, C., Montes de Oca, L., & Pérez-Miles, F. (2026). On the validity of Glabropelmatidae Raven, 1985 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae): a replacement name for Melloinidae Perafán, Montes de Oca and Pérez-Miles, 2025. Journal of Natural History, 60(21–24), 1239–1241. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2661983