The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides

  The chromosome-level genome of Mesobuthus martensii provides insights into its evolution and the diversity of venom peptides Abstract Mesobuthus martensii , the source species of the traditional Chinese medicine “Quanxie”, has long been utilized for its therapeutic properties. Venom peptides are recognized as the major active molecular basis of these pharmacological activities. Despite this, their development as therapeutic agents remains poorly explored. In this study, we performed an integrated multi-omics investigation to systematically explore the venom peptides of Mesobuthus martensii . We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of Mesobuthus martensii using third-generation sequencing technologies, yielding a genome size of 1.08 Gb with a contig N50 of 46.46 Mb. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses led to the identification of 51 putative novel venom peptide candidates. From the broader venom peptide set, five lysine- and arginine-rich candidates were select...

Descriptions of three new high-altitude species of Karschia from Xizang, China (Solifugae: Karschiidae)

 

Descriptions of three new high-altitude species of Karschia from Xizang, China (Solifugae: Karschiidae)

Abstract

Three new high-altitude species of the karschiid genus Karschia Walter, 1889, are described from Xizang, China. Detailed morphological descriptions, diagnostic features, and illustrations of Karschia gyirongensis sp. nov., K. yadongensis sp. nov. and K. yui sp. nov. are provided. The known geographical records of the new species in China are mapped. The number of Karschia species known from China is increased from 14 to 17.

Fan, W., Chen, A., Zhang, C. & Zhang, F. (2026) Descriptions of three new high-altitude species of Karschia from Xizang, China (Solifugae: Karschiidae). Zootaxa, 5849 (2), 151–168. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5849.2.1