HBUARA Team Shines at 18th Chinese Arachnology Symposium

The 18th Chinese Society of Zoological Arachnology Symposium was successfully held from October 11 to 12, 2025, at Anhui Normal University in Wuhu, Anhui Province. Hosted by the Arachnology Committee of the Chinese Society of Zoological, the conference brought together over one hundred experts, scholars, and researchers from universities and research institutions across China. The event featured in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics in arachnology, including taxonomy, systematics, ecological behavior, neurobiology, and acarology.

Led by Prof. Chao Zhang, Prof. Junxia Zhang, and Researcher Xiangbo Guo, a ten-member delegation from the Arachnology Laboratory at Hebei University actively participated in this academic gathering. The team presented their latest research findings, showcasing the laboratory’s strong research foundation and vibrant innovation in the field of arachnology.

During the oral presentation session, postdoctoral researcher Zhaoyi Li, doctoral students Zhiyong Yang, Wenlong Fan, and master’s students Yi Ni, Yiting Xu and Siqi Liu delivered presentations titled “Phylogeny of the Salticid Tribe Euophryini and the Coevolution of Male and Female Genitalia”, “Unveiling the Classification of Chinese Chrysilline Jumping Spiders: Integrative Insights from Molecular and Morphological Evidence”, “Taxonomic Studies on Solifugae in China”, “New Insights into the Taxonomy of the Genus Synagelides (Araneae: Salticidae) Based on UCE and Morphological Data”, “Taxonomic Studies on Pedipalpi (Arachnida: Pedipalpi) in China”, and “Spider Species Diversity in the Saihanwula Nature Reserve”, respectively. Covering diverse research areas such as new taxonomic discoveries, molecular phylogenetics, evolutionary relationships of specialized groups, and regional biodiversity surveys, the presentations were well-received and sparked extensive discussion among attendees.

Thanks to their solid research and excellent presentation skills, members of the Hebei University team achieved remarkable success: Yi Ni won the Outstanding Oral Presentation Award (Special Prize); Zhiyong Yang and Wenlong Fan received First Prizes; and Zhaoyi Li, Yiting Xu, and Siqi Liu were awarded Second Prizes. Additionally, Zhiyong’s poster presentation was recognized with the Second Prizes. This represents one of the best performances by the laboratory at the national arachnology symposium to date, highlighting its excellence in talent development and scientific innovation.

The participation not only demonstrated the research strength of Hebei University’s Arachnology Laboratory but also strengthened academic exchanges with peers nationwide, broadened research horizons, and inspired young researchers. Moving forward, the Arachnology Laboratory at Hebei University will continue to deepen its research on arachnid diversity and evolution, striving to make greater contributions to the advancement of arachnology in China through groundbreaking scientific achievements.