Venom represents a key adaptation of many venomous predators, allowing them to
immobilise prey quickly through chemical rather than physical warfare. Evolutionary arms …

Venoms are best known for their ability to incapacitate prey. In predatory groups, venom
potency is predicted to reflect ecological and evolutionary drivers relating to diet. While …

The spider of Ectatosticta davidi, belonging to the lamp-shade web spider family,
Hypochilidae, which is closely related to Hypochilidae and Filistatidae and recovered as …

Genomic data provide unprecedented power for species delimitation. However, current
implementations are still time and resource consuming. In addition, bioinformatic processing …

RAD sequencing yields large amounts of genome‐wide data at a relatively low cost and
without requiring previous taxon‐specific information, making it ideal for evolutionary studies …

Species traits are essential for inferences on ecology and the evolution of organisms.
Spiders are the most abundant and diversified terrestrial predators, playing an important role …

Evaluating the patterns and generality of ontogenetic dietary shifts (ODSs) contributes to
understanding prey–predator interactions and food web dynamics. Numerous studies have …

Ecological specialists constitute relevant case studies for understanding the mechanisms,
potential and limitations of evolution. The species-rich and strictly myrmecophagous spiders …

Specialists possess specialized trophic adaptations. Spiders of the genus Palpimanus
Dufour, 1820 are araneophagous spiders which also catch alternative prey. They have …

Extraction is the first step when investigating venom composition and function. In small
invertebrates, widely used extraction methods include electrostimulation and venom gland …