This paper is devoted to the history of the spider collections held at the Manchester Museum, UK. By the end of 2024, the Manchester Museum had accumulated over 172,000 spider specimens belonging to 4255 identified and around 1130 (21%) undetermined species. The history of the Museum's spider collections is narrated in the form of short essays focusing on specific araneologists who have donated significant (over 1000 specimens) spider collections. Smaller acquisitions of tens/hundreds of specimens (130 in total) are dealt with in a separate section. A complete catalogue of the type specimens of Araneae in the Manchester Museum (to the end of 2024) is also provided. A total of 179 spider species (746 specimens) are represented by type specimens, of which 71 species are represented by holotypes.

The previously unknown male of Phintella luna Sudhin, Sen & Caleb, 2024 is described for the first time based on specimens collected from West Bengal, India. A detailed morphological description and illustration of the copulatory organs of the unknown male are provided along with images of both sexes.

During the last 10 years, a major survey on Salticidae spiders has been carried out in northern Argentina and neighbouring countries. As a result of this survey, several species have been collected, and yet remain undescribed or are poorly documented. In this manuscript, we describe the two species of Cylistella that so far have been found inhabiting Argentina, one of which is new to science.

A new genus from the mygalomorph family Ischnothelidae is described from Ecuador. Tepuithele n. gen. was collected in the Tepui formation found in the Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador. The new species, Tepuithele nangaritza n. sp. (♂♀), possesses a unique combination of morphological characters not found in any other members of the family: male chelicerae with large forward prongs, leg I without tibial apophysis, and metatarsus I without keel. Images of both male and female are presented, in addition to a distribution map.

Temperature influences a variety of traits in ectotherms, including growth, metabolism, and behaviour and they have developed several strategies that includes behavioural and physiological adaptations to maintain their body function under varying thermal conditions. Mecicobothrium thorelli, a mygalomorph spider with small populations, low abundance, and winter activity, may be especially vulnerable to temperature changes, though this remains understudied. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of different thermal ranges on prey capture behaviour and physiological traits on this species. The spiders were exposed to cold (5–10°C), medium (15–20°C), and warm temperatures (25–30°C), and we measure prey acceptance, prey detection latency, and prey attack speed by offering a prey and recording the behaviours using video. Additionally, spiders were acclimated to 5°C or 25°C for four weeks, and we measured the total content and composition of proteins and lipids. We found that M. thorelli accepted prey across all thermal ranges without distinction and demonstrated greatest ability to detect prey at moderated temperatures. Furthermore, the spiders were able to capture prey at all evaluated thermal ranges, but they exhibited a faster attack speed at warm temperatures. The content and composition of proteins and lipids did not show significant differences between low and high acclimation temperatures. Despite M. thorelli being more efficient at capturing prey at warm temperatures, medium and cold temperatures appear to be sufficient for feeding, and the spider is capable of maintaining similar levels of proteins and lipids at both low and warm temperatures. Those results are consistent with the winter temperatures at which this species carries out its main survival and reproduction activities.

The taxonomic history and the current state of knowledge about the genus Nemesia is reviewed with a special focus on Simon's subgenus Pronemesia. The value of subgeneric division of Nemesia is discussed in view of its importance for future revisionary work. The earliest two described Nemesia species, N. caementaria and N. carminans, are newly diagnosed and re-described. Newly found variations in morphological characters, useful in species recognition are proposed. A reference collection for these two species is established in the MNHN-Paris and new type specimens are appointed. Finally, the traditional geographical separation of N. caementaria and N. carminans as species occurring west and east of the Rhône river is discussed, and the origin of this segregation is hypothesised including thoughts about the rate of post-glacial range extensions of both species. The study is aimed to function as a prelude on future revisionary work on the genus Nemesia in general and the French Nemesia fauna in particular.

A full, annotated checklist of the Linyphiidae of Vietnam containing 34 species is given. The previously unknown female of Tapinopa undata Zhao & Li, 2014 is described for the first time. Six species, Batueta similis Wunderlich & Song, 1995, Caviphantes pseudosaxetorum Wunderlich, 1979, Erigone prominens Bösenberg & Strand, 1906, Microlinyphia rehaiensis Irfan, Zhang & Peng, 2022, Neriene macella (Thorell, 1898), and T. undata, are reported from Vietnam for the first time.

The Balkans is a recognized biodiversity hotspot. Yet, for many parts of this region, knowledge about the diversity of many taxa is limited. This is particularly true for the spiders of Kosovo, for which increased efforts to elucidate the actual diversity have been started only recently. Here, based on traditional morphological analyses and DNA barcoding data, we present the first records of Nemesiidae Simon, 1889 from Kosovo, including the descriptions of Brachythele kosovarica Geci & Sherwood sp. nov. and Nemesia dukagjinica Geci & Sherwood sp. nov.

The true widow spiders, Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805, comprise 35 species worldwide, nine of which are found in Europe. Only Latrodectus tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790), known as the Mediterranean black widow, has been documented in Albania. This spider is medically important due to the potent neurotoxin α-latrotoxin, which can be life threatening if left untreated. An intensive study was conducted in 2024, collecting data from a decade of clinical cases of spider bites in western Albania. A total of 238 hospitalized cases were collected, representing 9.92 cases per million population, with data on demographics and hospitalization. However, no deaths were recorded in the hospital wards, with the exception of one death that became apparent from discussion with the medical staff of Lushnje district. In addition, a comprehensive questionnaire was conducted in the same areas in May and June 2024 to assess knowledge and precautions regarding Mediterranean black widow spiders in the local population. The survey included responses from 532 people. The results showed varying levels of awareness and preparedness among the population, highlighting gaps in knowledge and preventive practices. In addition, extensive fieldwork was carried out to search for L. tredecimguttatus in areas and villages with higher numbers of bites. The results indicate that the local population of the municipality of Divjakë is at high risk due to the high abundance of Mediterranean black widow spiders. While the public health impact of L. tredecimguttatus has not been fully assessed across Albania, our observations in the western lowlands provide valuable recommendations for the local community.

The cryptic spiders of the genus Mastophora are extremely difficult to reveal and observe due to their nocturnal habits. Among the aspects of particular interest is their unique hunting techniques. But what is even more scarcely documented is the details of oviposition and making egg cases. Recently we found a mature female of Mastophora corpulenta, and attempted to film both types of the spider's activity. In the present report, they are illustrated in the form of snapshots.

Many scorpion species can be found on tree trunks but data are scarce regarding their ecology. Therefore, I conducted a two-year survey at a rainforest in Costa Rica. I searched for scorpions at night with a UV light while climbing every month 22 rainforest trees using the rope-climbing technique. The highest trees were ∼47 m high. Additional surveys on the forest ground were carried out. Questions: 1) which species occur at the study site? 2) how high above ground do they live? 3) what types of microhabitats do they use, and 4) is their vertical distribution affected by fluctuations of local climate and microclimate? Three buthid scorpion species were found at the study site: Centruroides limbatus, Tityus ocelote, and T. pachyurus. The scorpion species used almost the entire available height range, with T. ocelote occurring significantly higher than the other two species. Most individuals were found on stems, branches, and tree trunks. Effects of local climate and of microclimate fluctuations on vertical distribution were detected only in T. ocelote. Structural variables of trees affected the vertical distribution of all three scorpion species but did not affect their densities.

Exotic species can be introduced accidentally through human activity to regions where they do not occur naturally. Fruit and produce shipments offer a means by which trapped specimens can accidentally travel long distances bringing, for example, tropical species deep into temperate regions. Documenting, identifying, and tracking these introductions can help evaluate the potential threats these species could pose for local biodiversity and, in rare cases, human health. We report a new exotic species in the Netherlands from a specimen captured more than 60 years ago from a fruit shipment. The species, Acanthoctenus alux (Arizala, Labarque & Polotow, 2021), was described recently in a revision of the genus Acanthoctenus, and is only known from female specimens. Here, we provide documentation of the specimen including the external genitalia, and somatic characters like eyes, spinnerets, calamistrum, and the cribellum.

A new pseudoscorpion species, Pseudotyrannochthonius rucapillan sp. nov., from a lava tube cave in Chile, is described. This species exhibits distinct characteristics that differ from other congeneric species, including variations in chelal and cheliceral dentition and measurements. In addition, we provide ecological remarks on the new species, possible threats, and a key to Pseudotyrannochthonius species in Chile.