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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...

Beyond morphology alone: species delimitation, hemispermatophore comparisons and comments on the systematic status of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) with a description of three new species from peninsular India

The Red-Colored Oddball—A New Ladybird Spider with Unusual Coloring from Morocco, Eresus rubrocephalus sp. nov. (Araneae: Eresidae)

Phylogenetics and Species Delimitation of the Recluse Spider, Loxosceles rufescens (Araneae: Sicariidae) Populations Invading Bangkok, Thailand