Comparative transcriptomics highlights convergent evolution of energy metabolic pathways in group-living spiders

New genera and new species of Hahniidae (Araneae) from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam

Four new genera and 11 new species of Hahniidae Bertkau, 1878 are described. The new genera are Goblinia Lin & Li, gen. nov., with the type species G.tiane Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Guangxi, China; Myahnia Lin & Li, gen. nov., with the type species M.kanpetlet Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Chin, Myanmar; Troglohnia Lin & Li, gen. nov., with the type species Tr.qiubei Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Yunnan, China and Typhlohnia Lin & Li, gen. nov., with the type species Ty.rongshui Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Guangxi, China. Seven additional new species are described: Tr.dafang Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Guizhou, China; Tr.shidian Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♀) from Yunnan, China; Tr.wuding Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Yunnan, China; Ty.banlaksao Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♀) from Bolikhamxay, Laos; Ty.kaiyang Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♀) from Guizhou, China; Ty.sondoong Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) from Quang Binh, Vietnam and Ty.suiyang Lin & Li, sp. nov. (♀) from Guizhou, China.

A new species of Liphistius Schiødte, 1849 (Araneae, Liphistiidae) from Yunnan, China

Background

The spider genus Liphistius Schiødte, 1849 contains 69 species, endemic to Indochina and Southeast Asia. Only one species is currently known from the Chinese province of Yunnan: Liphistiusnabang Yu, Zhang & Zhang, 2021.

New information

A new species, Liphistiusliz Lin & Li, sp. nov., is described from Yunnan, China, on the basis of both sexes. Photos and a morphological description of the new species are provided.

Molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution in wild animals and plants

Wild animals and plants have developed a variety of adaptive traits driven by adaptive evolution, an important strategy for species survival and persistence. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution is the key to understanding species diversification, phenotypic convergence, and inter-species interaction. As the genome sequences of more and more non-model organisms are becoming available, the focus of studies on molecular mechanisms of adaptive evolution has shifted from the candidate gene method to genetic mapping based on genome-wide scanning. In this study, we reviewed the latest research advances in wild animals and plants, focusing on adaptive traits, convergent evolution, and coevolution. Firstly, we focused on the adaptive evolution of morphological, behavioral, and physiological traits. Secondly, we reviewed the phenotypic convergences of life history traits and responding to environmental pressures, and the underlying molecular convergence mechanisms. Thirdly, we summarized the advances of coevolution, including the four main types: mutualism, parasitism, predation and competition. Overall, these latest advances greatly increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms for diverse adaptive traits and species interaction, demonstrating that the development of evolutionary biology has been greatly accelerated by multi-omics technologies. Finally, we highlighted the emerging trends and future prospects around the above three aspects of adaptive evolution.

Cryptic eggs are rejected less frequently by a cuckoo host

Obligate brood parasitism is associated with huge reproduction costs, forcing hosts to evolve various anti-parasitic strategies against brood parasites, among which egg recognition and rejection is the most effective defense strategy. According to the crypsis hypothesis, non-mimetic yet cryptic eggs in a nest can also deceive their hosts and eventually be accepted. To validate this hypothesis, we conducted field experiments on Oriental reed warblers (Acrocephalus orientalis), a common host for common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus). We firstly tested the egg recognition and rejection abilities of Oriental reed warblers, using black and white model eggs in natural nests. Then we designed a comparison test where the cryptic effects of the two groups of experimental eggs were different. We manipulated the nest lining color and added relatively cryptic and bright model eggs to test warblers' rejection behaviors against cryptic and bright foreign eggs. The results showed that warblers have strong egg recognition and rejection abilities. There is a significant tendency for warblers to prefer to peck and reject relatively distinguishable foreign eggs, which supports the crypsis hypothesis. These findings indicate that even in the host-parasite system of open nests, parasitic eggs that are cryptic enough are prevented from being discovered and rejected by the host, and thus obtain the possibility of successful parasitism.