Big Spider, Big Genome: Chromosome-level genome of a North American tarantula (Aphonopelma marxi) and comparative genomics across 300 million years of spider evolution

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  Image Credit: WikiCommons Big Spider, Big Genome: Chromosome-level genome of a North American tarantula (Aphonopelma marxi) and comparative genomics across 300 million years of spider evolution Abstract The comparison of chromosome-level genomes allows biologists to investigate new axes of organismal evolution. Spiders comprise a significant proportion of known arachnid diversity, with many complex morphologies and unique natural histories, yet comparative genomics in spiders has been limited due to the number of available genomes. We present a de novo chromosomal reference genome of a mature male tarantula, Aphonopelma marxi, and comparatively examine spider genome evolution across the Order Araneae. Using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing, the final 6.5 Gb assembly consists of 17 autosomes, 1 X chromosome, and 127 unplaced scaffolds, with an N50 of 370 Mb and Arachnida (odb10; 2934 genes) BUSCO of 96.7%. By comparing 20 additional spider genomes from 15 families, we find mygalomo...

Predator-predator-prey interaction between spiders and insects: First fossil evidence from 23 million-year old Chiapas amber syninclusion

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Predator-predator-prey interaction between spiders and insects: First fossil evidence from 23 million-year old Chiapas amber syninclusion

Abstract

Syninclusions are palaeontological resources that provide palaeoautoecological evidence of fossil species and information on the biological interactions between different organisms that were part of a past ecosystem. Although palaeautoecological interactions in amber have been documented worldwide, interactions between predators and potential prey are rare. Here, we documented the first evidence in Miocene Chiapas amber of predator-predator-prey interaction involving two spider species and one insect: the araneophagous “pirate spider” Mimetus sp., the Theridiidae spider Thymoites carboti, and gall flies (Cecydomiidae). The interaction between Mimetus sp. and T. carboti is documented as a possible case of araneophagy or opportunism. Also, the first evidence of a web built by some members of the Thymoites genus is presented. The taphonomic analysis of the amber piece indicated that they were all captured at the same time under the same resin flow.


García-Villafuerte, M.A. and Carbot-Chanona, G. 2024. Predator-predator-prey interaction between spiders and insects: First fossil evidence from 23 million-year old Chiapas amber syninclusion. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 69 (4): 677–685. https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app011932024.html