Redescription of three Hippasa species from China (Araneae: Lycosidae), with a proposed species group-division and diagnosis.

The genus Hippasa is a group of web-weaving lycosids, whose web is funnel-like, quite similar to those of the Agelenidae. In this paper, based on published papers and specimens from China, we diagnose and discuss the composition of this genus. Two species groups are recognised, the Hippasa greenalliae-group (12 species and a subspecies) mainly from Asia and the Hippasa partita-group (17 species), which is distributed in both South Asia and Africa. In China, there are three Hippasa species: H. holmerae Thorell, 1895, H. lingxianensis Yin & Wang, 1980 (revalidated) and H. lycosina Pocock, 1900. The Japanese species, H. babai Tanikawa, 2007 is newly synonymised with H. lingxianensis. Two Hippasa species, H. agelenoides (Simon, 1884) and H. greenalliae (Blackwall, 1867) have never been found in China. Morphological illustrations, photos and redescriptions of H. holmerae, H. lingxianensis and H. lycosina are provided, based on Chinese specimens.

A new genus and three new species of Hahniidae (Araneae) from China.

A new genus of comb-tailed spider (Hahniidae), Sinahahniagen. nov., is described based on three new species from the high-altitude areas of China: Sinahahniaeyusp. nov. (♂♀, Chongqing and Hubei), S.fanjingshansp. nov. (♂♀, Guizhou), and S.yintiaolingsp. nov. (♀, Chongqing). Digital images, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided.

Ant-eating spiders from Xizang, China (Araneae, Zodariidae).

Six species of the ant-eating spider of the family Zodariidae are described from Xizang, China, including five new species: Asceuachayusp. nov. (♀), A.dawaisp. nov. (♂♀), Mallinellamigusp. nov. (♂), M.mеdogsp. nov. (♂♀), and M.yadongsp. nov. (♂♀). The female of Cydrelalinzhiensis (Hu, 2001) is described here for the first time. Descriptions and photographs of all the species are provided.

First record of the spider family Trechaleidae Simon, 1890 (Araneae) from China.

The family Trechaleidae Simon, 1890 is reported for the first time from China, including one new species: Shinobiuscona sp. nov. (♂♀). Morphological descriptions, photos and illustrations of the new species are provided. Taxonomic features of species belonging to the genus are briefly discussed. Photos of the female of Shinobiusorientalis (Yaginuma, 1967) are also presented to compare it with the new species.

The first record of the wolf spider subfamily Zoicinae from China (Araneae: Lycosidae), with the description of two new species.

The subfamily Zoicinae Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979 is here first recorded from China with the description of a new species in the genus Zoica Simon, 1898, Z. unciformis sp. nov. from Wild Elephant Valley (Yunnan) and a new species in the genus Lysania Thorell, 1890, L. deangia sp. nov., from a rubber plantation in Nangsang Village (Yunnan). Lysania pygmaea Thorell, 1890 is recorded for the first time in China, from three localities in Yunnan and Guangxi and is redescribed here.

The first record of Tricholathys Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935 (Araneae, Dictynidae) from China, with a new combination and descriptions of seven new species.

The genus Tricholathys, found for the first time in China, is surveyed and seven new species, T.burangensissp. nov. (♂♀, Thibet), T.chenzhenningisp. nov. (♂♀, Qinghai), T.hebeiensissp. nov. (♀, Hebei), T.lhunzeensissp. nov. (♂♀, Tibet), Tricholathysrelictoidessp. nov. (♂♀, Xinjiang), T.serratasp. nov. (♂♀, Tibet), and T.xizangensissp. nov. (♂♀, Tibet), are described. A new combination is proposed for Tricholathysalxa (Tang, 2011) comb. nov., ex. Argenna Thorell, 1870. Descriptions of all new species are provided, together with digital images, illustrations, and a distribution map. The DNA barcode information of four recently collected species is also provided.

One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae spiders from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, Chongqing of China.

One new genus and nine new species of Linyphiidae are described here from Yintiaoling Nature Reserve (YNR), Chongqing of China as: Caracladus daguanshanensis sp. n. (both sexes), Centromerus alatus sp. n. (male only), Dicristatus modaoxiensis sp. n. (both sexes), Hypselistes arcus sp. n. (male and female), Ryojius flosculus sp. n. (male only), R. latus sp. n. (male only), Shaanxinus shizhuziensis sp. n. (both sexes), Sinogone caesuma gen. & sp. n. (both sexes), and Walckenaeria hongqiensis sp. n. (both sexes). Detailed descriptions, photographs of genital characters and somatic features are presented.

First record of the genus Passiena (Araneae, Lycosidae) from China, with the first description of the male of P.spinicrus Thorell, 1890 from Malaysia.

The genus Passiena is recorded for the first time from China with Passienaduanisp. nov. (♂♀) from Guangxi described here. In addition, the male of P.spinicrus Thorell, 1890 is described for the first time based on a specimen from Malaysia and colour photographs of freshly collected material are also presented. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, genital illustrations, and a distribution map for the two species are provided.

Two new species of Amaurobius C.L. Koch, 1837 from China (Araneae, Amaurobiidae).

Two new species of the genus Amaurobius are described from China: A.guangwushanensissp. nov. (♂♀) from Sichuan and A.wulongdongensissp. nov. (♂♀) from Shaanxi. With the addition of two new species, the number of Amaurobius species endemic to China now reaches four. Morphological descriptions, photos, and illustrations of copulatory organs, as well as a map of distribution records, are provided.

Four new species of the spider genus Pseudopoda Jäger, 2000 (Sparassidae) from Yintiaoling Natural Reserve of Chongqing, China.

Four new species of the huntsmen spider genus Pseudopoda are described: P. hongqi sp. n. (male), P. shuyue sp. n. (male, female), P. wuxi sp. n. (male, female) and P. yintiaoling sp. n. (male, female). Morphological descriptions, photos of body and copulatory organs, as well as a locality map are provided.

A further study on the spider genus Baiyuerius Zhao, Li & Li, 2023, from China (Agelenidae, Coelotinae).

Baiyuerius is a newly erected genus of Coelotinae spiders comprising five species distributed in southern China and northern Vietnam. Two additional new species, B.shenzhensp. nov. (male and female) and B.yuelusp. nov. (male and female), are described here. Three new combinations are proposed, namely Baiyueriusacroprocessus (Zhang, Zhu & Wang, 2017) comb. nov., Baiyueriusglobasus (Wang, Peng & Kim, 1996) comb. nov. and Baiyueriusrugosus (Wang, Peng & Kim, 1996) comb. nov. Descriptions, photographs, and a distribution map of the known and newly proposed species are provided.

Lampshade web spider Ectatosticta davidi chromosome-level genome assembly provides evidence for its phylogenetic position.

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 sister of the rest Araneomorphs spiders. Here we show the final assembled genome of E. davidi with 2.16 Gb in 15 chromosomes. Then we confirm the evolutionary position of Hypochilidae. Moreover, we find that the GMC gene family exhibit high conservation throughout the evolution of true spiders. We also find that the MaSp genes of E. davidi may represent an early stage of MaSp and MiSp genes in other true spiders, while CrSp shares a common origin with AgSp and PySp but differ from MaSp. Altogether, this study contributes to addressing the limited availability of genomic sequences from Hypochilidae spiders, and provides a valuable resource for investigating the genomic evolution of spiders.

Mongolian medicine Wenguanmu ointment treats eczema by inhibiting the CKLF-1/NF-κB pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The main clinical manifestations of eczema include itching, erythema, swelling and pain. Currently, allergies and TH1/TH2 cytokine imbalances are significant causes of eczema. TCM believes that eczema is mainly caused by incongruity between dry and wet. Wenguanmu ointment is a classic Mongolian medicine, which mainly composed of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge, Coptis chinensis Franch and Bezoar. These ingredients can clear heat and dampness, dispel wind and dehumidification, anti-inflammatoryad analgesic. In this study, it was found that Wenguanmu ointment can treat eczema with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipruritic. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, the content of main components in Wenguanmu ointment was tested. Moreover, the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Wenguanmu ointment on eczema model mice were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Kunming mice (25 ± 2 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups: Control group; Model group; Vehicle group; Wenguanmu ointment group; Compound dexamethasone acetate cream group; Chushizhiyang ointment group. The eczema mouse model was established by DNCB. HPLC and TLC tests were used to determine the content of the main components in Wenguanmu ointment. HE staining was used to assess skin damage in mice. In order to detect the anti-inflammatory effect of Wenguanmu ointment on eczema, The levels of IgE, TNF-α, IFN-γ, COX-2 and IL-4 in serum was measured by ELISA. Genecards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man databases were used to analyze potential target gene predictions, and it was speculated that Wenguanmu ointment was associated with NF-κB signaling pathway and chemokine signaling pathway. To detect this inference, RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect protein and mRNA levels of CKLF-1, IκB-α, and NF-κB. RESULTS: Wenguanmu ointment can repress the symptoms of eczema caused by 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene, and inhibit the level of serum immunoglobulin E. Simultaneously it restrain the elevation of miscellaneous pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as reducing the expression of CKLF-1 and NF-κB protein in the nucleus, and increasing the protein expression of IκB to improve eczema. CONCLUSIONS: The ameliorating effect of Wenguanmu ointment on eczema lesions can play a importment role by inhibiting the CKLF-1/NF-κB pathway.

Three new species of the spider genus Pimoa Chamberlin amp; Ivie, 1943 (Araneae, Pimoidae) from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China.

Three new species of the spider genus Pimoa Chamberlin Ivie, 1943 are described: P. pingwuensis n. sp. () and P. yajiangensis n. sp. () from Sichuan and P. zekogensis n. sp. () from Qinghai. These new species are distinguished from other known Pimoa species by genital characters as well as by DNA barcodes. Detailed descriptions, photographs of genital characters and somatic features, a distribution map, comparisons to closely related species and DNA barcodes of the new species are presented. Illustrations of new species are provided and their phylogenetic relationships within the genus Pimoa are also discussed.

Six new species of Tonsilla Wang amp; Yin, 1992 (Araneae: Agelenidae) from southern China, with the first description of the male of T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin amp; Kim, 2000).

Six new species of the spider genus Tonsilla Wang Yin, 1992 are described from southern China: T. jinyunensis sp. nov. () from Chongqing, T. jiugongensis sp. nov. () from Hubei, T. subtruculenta sp. nov. (), T. rutunda sp. nov. () and T. yueliangensis sp. nov. () from Guizhou and T. subrostrum sp. nov. () from Hunan. In addition, T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin Kim, 2000) is redescribed and its male is described here for the first time. Tonsilla subyanlingensis Liu Xu, 2020 is transferred to Draconarius Ovtchinnikov, 1999, hence the new combination Draconarius subyanlingensis (Liu Xu, 2020) comb. nov. is established. The female of T. subyanlingensis Liu Xu, 2020 should be treated as T. yanlingensis (Zhang, Yin Kim, 2000). Detailed descriptions, photographs of copulatory organs and somatic features, a distribution map and comparisons with closely related species are presented.

A further study on the wolf spider subfamily Artoriinae from China (Araneae: Lycosidae).

The further collection and study of Chinese wolf spiders, family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833, expand the known distribution of the subfamily Artoriinae Framenau, 2007 from Yunnan to Guangxi, Guizhou, and Sichuan Provinces of South China. Sinartoria gen. nov. is described to include two new species, S. damingshanensis sp. nov. (type species) and S. zhuangius sp. nov. In addition, a new Artoria species, A. hamata sp. nov. is described and new distribution records for A. ligulacea (Qu, Peng Yin, 2009) and A. parvula Thorell, 1877 are provided. Within the Artoriinae, Sinartoria gen. nov. appears to be most similar to the South American Lobizon Piacentini Grismado, 2009, but their relationship will remain contentious without a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of artoriine genera.

Review of the spider genus Ectatosticta Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Hypochilidae) with description of four new species from China.

Species of the genus Ectatosticta Simon, 1892 are studied from China, including seven known species E. bajie Lin Li, 2021 from Sichuan Prov., E. davidi (Simon, 1889) from Shaanxi, E. deltshevi Platnick Jger, 2009 from Qinghai, E. rulai Lin Li, 2021 from Sichuan, E. wukong Lin Li, 2020 from Sichuan, E. xuanzang Lin Li, 2020 from Tibet, E. yukuni Lin Li, 2021 from Shaanxi, and four new species: E. nyingchiensis sp. nov. from Tibet, E. pingwuensis sp. nov. from Sichuan, E. shennongjiaensis sp. nov. from Hubei and E. songpanensis sp. nov. from Sichuan. We provide detailed descriptions, including DNA barcode information, and images of all the species.

Further revision of the mesh-web spider genus Taira Lehtinen, 1967 (Amaurobiidae), with the description of six new species.

The cribellate, Asian endemic, spider genus, Taira is further studied, and six new species are recognized and described from China and Eastern Malaysia (Borneo): Taira borneoensis sp. nov. (♀), Taira gyaisiensis sp. nov. (♀), Taira nyagqukaensis sp. nov. (♀), Taira wanzhouensis sp. nov. (♂♀), Taira xuanenensis sp. nov. (♂) and Taira yangi sp. nov. (♂♀). Males of Taira latilabiata Zhang, Zhu Song, 2008 and Taira obtusa Zhang, Zhu Song, 2008 are also described for the first time. Drawings of the copulatory organs of the six new species, and comparative photos of the habitus and copulatory organs of all described species are provided, except for the male palp of the type species, T. flavidorsalis (Yaginuma, 1964). New records of known species and distribution maps are presented.

High-Mass Loading Hierarchically Porous Activated Carbon Electrode for Pouch-Type Supercapacitors with Propylene Carbonate-Based Electrolyte.

Rational design and development of the electrodes with high-mass loading yet maintaining the excellent electrochemical properties are significant for a variety of electrochemical energy storage applications. In comparison with the slurry-casted electrode, herein, a hierarchically porous activated carbon (HPAC) electrode with higher mass loading (8.3 ± 0.2 mg/cm2) is successfully prepared. The pouch-type symmetric device (1 cell) with the propylene carbonate-based electrolyte shows the rate capability (7.1 F at 1 mA/cm2 and 4.8 F at 10 mA/cm2) and the cycling stability (83% at 12,000 cycles). On the other hand, an initial discharge capacitance of 32.4 F and the capacitance retention of 96% after 30,000 cycles are delivered from a pouch-type symmetric supercapacitor (five cells). The corresponding electrochemical performances are attributed to the fascinating properties of the HPAC and the synergistic features of the resulting electrode.

A chromosome-level genome of the spider Trichonephila antipodiana reveals the genetic basis of its polyphagy and evidence of an ancient whole-genome duplication event.

BACKGROUND: The spider Trichonephila antipodiana (Araneidae), commonly known as the batik golden web spider, preys on arthropods with body sizes ranging from ∼2 mm in length to insects larger than itself (>20‒50 mm), indicating its polyphagy and strong dietary detoxification abilities. Although it has been reported that an ancient whole-genome duplication event occurred in spiders, lack of a high-quality genome has limited characterization of this event. RESULTS: We present a chromosome-level T. antipodiana genome constructed on the basis of PacBio and Hi-C sequencing. The assembled genome is 2.29 Gb in size with a scaffold N50 of 172.89 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.5% of the bases to 13 pseudo-chromosomes, and BUSCO completeness analysis revealed that the assembly included 94.8% of the complete arthropod universal single-copy orthologs (n = 1,066). Repetitive elements account for 59.21% of the genome. We predicted 19,001 protein-coding genes, of which 96.78% were supported by transcriptome-based evidence and 96.32% matched protein records in the UniProt database. The genome also shows substantial expansions in several detoxification-associated gene families, including cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenases, carboxyl/cholinesterases, glutathione-S-transferases, and ATP-binding cassette transporters, reflecting the possible genomic basis of polyphagy. Further analysis of the T. antipodiana genome architecture reveals an ancient whole-genome duplication event, based on 2 lines of evidence: (i) large-scale duplications from inter-chromosome synteny analysis and (ii) duplicated clusters of Hox genes. CONCLUSIONS: The high-quality T. antipodiana genome represents a valuable resource for spider research and provides insights into this species' adaptation to the environment.