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

Although widely thought to be aggressive, solitary, and potentially cannibalistic, some spider species have evolved group-living behaviors. The distinct transition provides the framework to uncover group-living evolution. Here, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic study and examined patterns of molecular evolution in two independently evolved group-living spiders and twelve solitary species.

A new record of the spider family Caponiidae from China (Arachnida, Araneae).

The family Caponiidae Simon, 1890 is reported for the first time from China. The total number of the known spider families from China increases to 72 with the addition of this family newly recorded in the present paper. Based on male and female specimens collected from Guangxi, China, Platnick & Jäger, 2008 is illustrated and a global distribution map is generated.