First insights into the role of evolutionary history in shaping venom composition of Vipera ammodytes

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  First insights into the role of evolutionary history in shaping venom composition of Vipera ammodytes Abstract Understanding intraspecific venom variation requires distinguishing the contributions of neutral population history from natural selection. This study aims to determine whether venom variation in the Vipera ammodytes species complex is structured across eight phylogenetic lineages. Despite a complex evolutionary history, venom composition did not differ among phylogenetic units within the analytical framework used, suggesting that shared ancestry alone does not explain venom variation. Whether local adaptation to environmental conditions explains the observed variation remains an open question for future studies. Lakušić, M., Piccoli, C., Anđelković, M., Andonov, K., Burić, I., Brito, J. C., Dyugmedzhiev, A., Merdan, S., Schmid, L., Tzoras, E., Florian-Hempel, B., & Martínez-Freiría, F. (2026). First insights into the role of evolutionary history in shaping venom co...

Taxonomic and Faunistic Contributions to the Spider Fauna of Iraq (Araneae)

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Taxonomic and Faunistic Contributions to the Spider Fauna of Iraq (Araneae)

Abstract

 This study provides taxonomic and faunistic contributions to the knowledge of the spider fauna of Iraq (Araneae). It documents new occurrence data for several species and expands their known distribution within the country. Enoplognatha macrochelis Levy & Amitai, 1981 (Theridiidae) is recorded from southern Iraq for the first time. Additionally, Hersiliola babylonica Zamani & Marusik, 2022 (Hersiliidae), Lycosa piochardi Simon, 1876 (Lycosidae), Uroctea thaleri Rheims, Santos & van Harten, 2007 (Oecobiidae), and Latrodectus dahli Levi, 1959 (Theridiidae) are documented from Nineveh Province, providing updated distributional data for these species in Iraq. The study includes detailed photographic documentation of the examined specimens, including illustrations photographs of the copulatory organs of all recorded species, supporting accurate identification and facilitating future comparative studies.


Abd Alameer, R., Hussny, H. A., & Al-Khazali, A. M. (2026). Taxonomic and faunistic contributions to the spider fauna of Iraq (Araneae). Bulletin of the Iraq Natural History Museum, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.26842/binhm.7.2026.19.1.0275