Work

Large venom glands in obscure spider taxon Cryptothele contradict hypothesis for the evolution of venom glands in spiders

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This poster, presented at the BeNeLux Zoology annual meeting in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, shows the preliminary results of a project aimed at understanding the evolution of venom glands in zodariid spiders. These spiders show a wide array of higly specialized traits, from covering their bodies with mud for camouflage to dietary specialization including the predation of ants and termites. This offers a great model for understanding the anatomical evolution of their venom glands and their potential adaptation to different ecological niches.

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18233089

Authors: Simon, García-Moreno, Rivera-Quiroz, Francisco Andres

Institutions: Leiden University, Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Language: English

Topic: Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

Award: Into the brain of an eight-eyed hunter