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Spider Systematics and Taxonomy

  • 1st Edition - November 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Dimitar Dimitrov, Gustavo Hormiga
  • Language: English

In the last decade or so, a large number of new spider species have been discovered and described, and many genera and families have been revised. Yet, a single comprehensive re… Read more

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Description

In the last decade or so, a large number of new spider species have been discovered and described, and many genera and families have been revised. Yet, a single comprehensive resource has been lacking to update spider taxonomy. Spider Systematics and Taxonomy aims to present these major developments in the field, as well as to show how technological advancements have driven these changes. Spider groups covered in most detail are those which have recently seen the most significant discoveries and changes. Later chapters highlight the impact of recent technological developments on our knowledge of spider taxonomy, with topics including phylogenomics, artificial intelligence, and novel imaging technologies. Finally, an outlook on future priorities for spider taxonomy research as well as expected developments will be explored.

Spider Systematics and Taxonomy is a valuable reference with illustrations and vivid photographs included throughout to showcase spider diversity and relationships. This will serve as a key resource for arachnology researchers, graduate and postgraduate students wishing to come up to date on the latest advances in the field. Researchers in adjacent fields and those working in taxonomy generally will also benefit from this work.

Key features

  • Summarizes latest developments in systematics and taxonomy of spiders
  • Identifies advances in spider phylogenetic relationships
  • Highlights novel taxonomy research technologies, such as AI and DNA sequencing
  • Includes 200+ images demonstrating spider relationships and diversity

Readership

Practicing arachnologists (both active researchers and/or educators) working on taxonomy and systematics of spiders, Graduate and postgraduate students interested in spiders or with general interests in taxonomy and systematics, Entomologists and zoologists seeking information about spiders or general taxonomy and systematics

Table of contents

1. Shaking the tree, understanding spider diversity and relationships in a broader context

2. Advances in the systematics of marronoid spiders – a state of the art

3. Salticidae, where we stand in terms of understanding the diversity of the largest spider family

4. Mygalomorphae, advances in the taxonomy and systematics

5. Araneoidea, advances and white areas

6. Overview of fossil spiders and their relatives: implications for taxonomy and systematics

7. What new molecular methods bring for spider taxonomy and biodiversity research?

8. Global patterns in spider occurrence data: monitoring cryptic fauna in an era of human observations networks and computer vision models

9. Novel imaging technology and spider research

10. The rise of spider taxonomy and systematics in Southeast Asia and the global South

11. Challenges to the study of Neotropical spider fauna

12. Where to go from here?

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: November 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

DD

Dimitar Dimitrov

Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov is an evolutionary biologist with a background in arthropod systematics and evolution with a specific focus on spiders. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Barcelona, Spain before completing several postdoctoral fellowships at George Washington University, The University of Copenhagen, and the University of Oslo. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Systemic Entomology at the University of Bergen, as well as an Entomology Curator at the University Museum of Bergen, Norway. His research aims to understand how underlying evolutionary and ecological process generate and maintain biodiversity through time and space, and the responses of communities and individual species to climate change.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor of Systemic Entomology and Entomology Curator, Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

GH

Gustavo Hormiga

Prof. Gustavo Hormiga is the Ruth Weintraub Professor of Biology at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Research in his lab focuses on spider systematics and evolution, with emphasis on orb weavers. Gustavo did his undergraduate studies at the Universitat de Barcelona and his M.S. and doctoral work at the University of Maryland. He is a Research Associate at the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard University, the California Academy of Sciences (and an Elected Fellow) and the American Museum of Natural History. He has also been a Visiting Professor at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
Affiliations and expertise
Ruth Weintraub Professor of Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington D.C., USA