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

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  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...

New spider species records, and new distributional records, from The Republic of Sudan (Arachnida: Araneae)

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New spider species records, and new distributional records, from The Republic of Sudan (Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract

Nine new records of spider species (Arachnida: Araneae) from six localities in the Republic of Sudan are documented. Pardosa naevia (L. Koch, 1875) (Lycosidae) was found in the Dinder National Park in an area belonging to Sennar State, while Uroctea sudanensis Benoit, 1966 (Oecobiidae), previously known from Renk, South Sudan, was found in Sennar itself. Berlandina venatrix (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1874) (Gnaphosidae) was found at two localities: El-Hasahisa (Gezira State) and Dongola (Northern State). Thanatus sepiacolor Levy, 1999 (Philodromidae) was found in Dongola, Thanatus setiger (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) was recorded from three localities: Atbara (River Nile State), the Dinder National Park (also in Sennar State), and Dongola, and Thanatus vulgaris Simon, 1870 was also recorded from the Dinder National Park. Cheiracanthium furculatum Karsch, 1879 (Cheiracanthiidae) and Olios suavis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1876) were found in Dongola. Thomisus zyuzini Marusik & Logunov, 1990 (Thomisidae) was recorded from Atbara. Several new localities for previously recorded Sudanese spider species are also presented.

Manal E. Siyam, Jason A. Dunlop, Peter Jäger, Hisham K. El-Hennawy "New spider species records, and new distributional records, from The Republic of Sudan (Arachnida: Araneae)," Arachnology, 20(5), 699-708, (8 July 2026) https://doi.org/10.13156/arac.2026.20.5.9