The seven grand challenges in arachnid science

Abstract

This perspective identifies the grand challenges in arachnid science: 1. Grasp the arachnid species diversity. There is a need to accelerate taxonomic research to obtain a sense of arachnid species diversity, however, at the same time, taxonomy needs to increase its quality, rigor, and repeatability. 2. Standardize arachnid systematics research. A solid phylogenetic definition and morphological diagnosis of Arachnida and its composing subgroups, usually treated at the rank of order, are needed. Studies should aim to stabilize and standardize phylogenetic efforts at all levels of hierarchy, and systematists should adopt criteria for higher level ranks in arachnid classification. 3. Interpret arachnid trait evolution through omics approaches. Among the field’s grand challenges is to define the genetic diversity encoding for the diverse arachnid traits, including developmental, morphological and ecological characteristics, biomaterials such as silks, venoms, digestive fluids, or allergens and bioproducts that cause diseases. Comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics will provide the empirical basis for biotechnology to modify arachnid genomes to fit numerous applications. 4. Facilitate biotechnological applications of arachnid molecules and biomaterials. Among the grand field challenges is to define potential applications of arachnid bioproducts from therapeutics to industry. New natural and biodegradable products, e.g. from spider silks, should ease our burden on ecosystems. 5. Utilize arachnids as models in ecological and biogeographic research. Biodiversity inventory sampling and analytical techniques should be extended from spiders to other arachnid groups. Spiders and their webs could be used as environmental DNA samplers, measuring or monitoring ecosystems’ overall biodiversity. Arachnids are excellent models to address biogeographical questions at the global to local scales. 6. Disentangle evolutionary drivers of arachnid diversity. Among the field grand challenges is a more precise evaluation to what extent the emergence of arachnid phenotypes is shaped by classical selection processes, and under what conditions, if any, sexual conflict needs to be invoked. 7. Define effective conservation measures for arachnids in the light of global changes. Effective conservation measures in arachnology should integrate the data from phylogenetic diversity, physiology, ecology, biogeography, and global change biology.

Grand challenges and bold opportunities in arachnid ecology and behavior

“…Yes, we can! Arachnid research is highly relevant to each of these global grand challenges and ready to take on many other, more specific basic and applied challenges, as illustrated by the Arachnid Ecology and Behaviorrelated issues discussed here, as well as by the field grand challenge in Frontiers in Arachnid Science by Matjaz Kuntner (Kuntner, 2022) and the specialty grand challenges in Arachnid Morphology, Systematics and Evolution by Jason Bond, in Arachnid Diversity,…”

“…By their very nature, arachnids are great animals for translational science because many arachnid species are relevant in agriculture as either pests or beneficial natural enemies or in human and veterinary medicine as parasites and vectors of diseases. Also, arachnids are a rich source, particularly because of silk and venom production, for the development of bio-inspired products (see also Kuntner, 2022). Arachnid ecology and behavior is an excellent field for translation of fundamental knowledge to help achieve sustainability goals (alleviating global hunger, warranting food security, and natural resources preservation), via science-based applied ecology and behavior such as for biological control of crop and livestock pests (e.g.…”

“…The nowadays occurrence of many of these initially exotic plant and animal species is thus in part an inevitable phenomenon of humankind since adopting agricultural habits more than 12.000 years ago. Another issue to consider in conservation are cryptic species (applies especially to the Acari), which remains a somewhat slippery concept because of confusion which species concept is applied in the determination of crypticity (Heethoff, 2018; see also Kuntner, 2022). In most cases, entities that are considered cryptic species based on molecular data have not been tested whether they also represent different species according to the biological species concept (Mayr, 1942).…”

“…(iii) Further integrating "omics" into behavior and ecology (see also Kuntner, 2022). Despite molecular biology having started to rise already six to seven decades ago, with gaining momentum three to four decades ago with the advent of techniques such as PCR, it is still a grand challenge to integrate "omics" (genomics, proteomics), epigenetics and behavioral and ecological investigations.…”

Grand challenges in research on arachnid diversity, conservation, and biogeography

“…An important aspect of spiders is that they form the largest clade of exclusively predatory organisms on earth, and the planet's preeminent consumers of insects (e.g. Coddington and Levi, 1991;Foelix, 2011;Kuntner, 2022). Many other arachnids are also predators, while especially among the Acari, there is enormous richness of key parasites and pests of great economic interest such as ticks or herbivorous mites.…”