Dynamic evolution of size and colour in the highly specialized Zodarion ant-eating spiders.

Ecological specialists constitute relevant case studies for understanding the mechanisms, potential and limitations of evolution. The species-rich and strictly myrmecophagous spiders of the genus Zodarion show diversified defence mechanisms, including myrmecomorphy of different ant species and nocturnality. Through Hybridization Capture Using RAD Probes (hyRAD), a phylogenomic technique designed for sequencing poorly preserved specimens, we reconstructed a phylogeny of Zodarion using 52 (approx. a third of the nominal) species that cover its phylogenetic and distributional diversity. We then estimated the evolution of body size and colour, traits that have diversified noticeably and are linked to defence mechanisms, across the group. Our genomic matrix of 300 loci led to a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis that uncovered two main clades inside Zodarion. Ancestral state estimation revealed the highly dynamic evolution of body size and colour across the group, with multiple transitions and convergences in both traits, which we propose is likely indicative of multiple transitions in ant specialization across the genus. Our study will allow the informed targeted selection of Zodarion taxa of special interest for research into the group's remarkable adaptations to ant specialization. It also exemplifies the utility of hyRAD for phylogenetic studies using museum material.

A new species of Lycosa and three new species and a new record of Karakumosa from Iran (Araneae, Lycosidae).

Four new species of lycosids from Iran are described: Lycosa soboutii sp. n. (, Zanjan Province), Karakumosa golestanica sp. n. (, Golestan Province), K. sarvari sp. n. (, Razavi Khorasan Province), and K. yahaghii sp. n. (, South Khorasan Province). Karakumosa shmatkoi Logunov Ponomarev, 2020 (, Razavi Khorasan Province) is reported from Iran for the first time, and its male is redescribed.

A new Pardosa species from northern Iran (Araneae, Lycosidae).

A study of Pardosa pontica (Thorell, 1875) in Iran indicates two distinct morphospecies. A detailed comparison of these morphospecies and types of P. pontica reveals that populations from Mazandaran, Golestan and North Khorasan Provinces of Iran and Balkan Welaýaty of Turkmenistan belong to a newly described species, P. mirzakhaniae sp. n., and populations in western and easternmost Iran belong to P. pontica. Although the two morphospecies differ in colour, size and spination, no molecular differences in 16S rRNA and COI were detected.