Expression and function of two olfactory-related genes in response to methyl salicylate in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae)

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  Expression and function of two olfactory-related genes in response to methyl salicylate in the wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae: Lycosidae) The wolf spider ( Pardosa pseudoannulata ) is common in rice fields. Olfaction is crucial for perceiving chemical information, and our previous research indicated that methyl salicylate (MeSA), a common herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV), significantly attracts P. pseudoannulata . However, few studies have examined the functions of spiders' olfactory-related genes and their interactions with HIPVs. This study aimed to identify olfactory-related genes associated with MeSA in P. pseudoannulata . Transcriptome analysis revealed four differentially expressed olfactory-related genes in response to MeSA in P. pseudoannulata . Subsequent molecular docking analysis indicated that MeSA had a strong predicted binding affinity with proteins of two key olfactory-related genes ( PpseNPC2-7 and PpseSNMP2 ). These two genes were cloned, and...

A new species of Ixchela Huber (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Honduras with updated taxonomic keys, and first record of Physocyclus globosus (Taczanowski)

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A new species of Ixchela Huber (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Honduras with updated taxonomic keys, and first record of Physocyclus globosus (Taczanowski)

Abstract 

The spider genus Ixchela Huber, 2000 (family Pholcidae) is composed of 22 species distributed in North and Central America. A new species, Ixchela komari sp. nov. is described herein from the Department of Olancho, Honduras, based on adult male and female specimens, increasing the known diversity to 23 species. With this description, the diversity of the genus in Honduras increases to three known species, Ixchela furcula (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge), I. viquezi Valdez-Mondragón, and the new species described herein, making it the most diverse country in Central America for this genus to date. Additionally, Physocyclus globosus (Taczanowski) is recorded in Honduras for the first time.

Cubas-Rodríguez, A. M. & Valdez-Mondragón, A. (2026). A new species of Ixchela Huber (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Honduras with updated taxonomic keys, and first record of Physocyclus globosus (Taczanowski). Acta Zoológica Lilloana 70(2): 689-709. doi: 10.30550/j.azl/2383