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This work aims to describe a new species of Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 from southcentral Peru in the Department of Cusco. Thrixopelma choquequirao sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from congeneric species by the low number of labial cuspules, a very long palpal tibia, morphology of the male palpal bulb and female spermathecae. Currently the genus Thrixopelma comprises seven formally described species which inhabit Perú and Ecuador, distributed in Amazonian rainforest, Coastal Dry Forest, and Andean Dry Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we redescribe Neostenotarsus guianensis (Caporiacco, 1954) nearly seven decades after its original description. In the original description of Neostenotarsus scissistylus Tesmoingt & Schmidt, 2002, we found characters incongruent with N. guianensis, namely, the purported presence of serration on the prolateral keels of the palpal bulb; a narrower apical third of the embolus; the absence of a patch of bristles on the retrolateral face of the palpal tibia and of a baso-retrolateral protuberance on metatarsus I; and a shorter and more apically situated megaspine on the retrolateral branch of the tibial apophyses. The characters from its original description are discussed. N. scissistylus stat. rev. has been revalidated until such time as the type material, or topotypic material, can be examined by future workers.

Herein, we redescribe Neostenotarsus guianensis (Caporiacco, 1954) nearly seven decades after its original description. In the original description of Neostenotarsus scissistylus Tesmoingt & Schmidt, 2002, we found characters incongruent with N. guianensis, namely, the purported presence of serration on the prolateral keels of the palpal bulb; a narrower apical third of the embolus; the absence of a patch of bristles on the retrolateral face of the palpal tibia and of a baso-retrolateral protuberance on metatarsus I; and a shorter and more apically situated megaspine on the retrolateral branch of the tibial apophyses. The characters from its original description are discussed. N. scissistylus stat. rev. has been revalidated until such time as the type material, or topotypic material, can be examined by future workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extreme asymmetry of species richness distribution across the tree of life has always intrigued evolutionary biologists. Two competing explanations have been proposed to explain this pattern—the clade age hypothesis and diversification rate variation. While these two scenarios may not be mutually exclusive, to what extent time and diversification rates interact to explain species richness patterns remains understudied. Here, we investigate the relative influence of these two scenarios using tarantulas (Family: Theraphosidae) as a model. Tarantulas represent a speciose group of spiders found worldwide but exceptionally diverse in South America. These spiders show two distinct patterns of microhabitat use (ground-dwelling or arboreal) and defense strategies (presence or absence of urticating hairs). Using various trait-independent and dependent diversification models, we test the clade age hypothesis, the role of microhabitat, antipredator defense strategy, and geography in influencing diversification rates. Our results suggest that clade age is the primary predictor of species richness distribution across the tarantula subfamilies. However, the presence of urticating hair probably disrupted this pattern in some clades by increasing the net diversification rates, not by increasing the speciation rate but by reducing the extinction rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Jambu gen. nov. is proposed based on two new species: Jambu paru gen. et sp. nov. and Jambu manoa gen. et sp. nov. Hapalopus butantan is transferred to Jambu; consequently, Jambu butantan gen. et comb. nov. is proposed. The geographic distribution of J. butantan is extended on the basis of new material collected. The new genus and the new species are here diagnosed, described and illustrated. The shape of the genitalia of Jambu resembles that of Hapalopini but differs from most of them by the presence of type IV urticating setae. The presence of this type of urticating setae allows us to hypothesize that this new genus is phylogenetically related with Grammostolini. Males of Jambu differ from those of other genera of Grammostolini by the presence of a paraembolic apophysis on the palpal bulb. Females also differ from those of other Grammostolini by the spermathecae morphology, with one medial lamp-shaped or heart-shaped receptacle. The homology of some features and the taxonomic placement of the new genus are discussed.

Literature on systemic envenomation caused by tarantula bites, particularly from the Theraphosidae family, is relatively scarce. This case report provides a formal description of the first known instance of systemic envenomation caused by the Socotra Island Blue Baboon Tarantula (Monocentropus balfouri). In this case, a 23-year-old employee of an exotic pet shop suffered from perioral paresthesia, generalized muscle cramps, and rhabdomyolysis because of a Monocentropus balfouri bite. His symptoms were successfully relieved with oral benzodiazepines. This case highlights the potential for serious complications resulting from the bite of Monocentropus balfouri, a species gaining popularity among global exotic pet collectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiders represent an evolutionary successful group of chelicerate arthropods. The body of spiders is subdivided into two regions (tagmata). The anterior tagma, the prosoma, bears the head appendages and four pairs of walking legs. The segments of the posterior tagma, the opisthosoma, either lost their appendages during the course of evolution or their appendages were substantially modified to fulfill new tasks such as reproduction, gas exchange, and silk production. Previous work has shown that the homeotic Hox genes are involved in shaping the posterior appendages of spiders. In this paper, we investigate the expression of the posterior Hox genes in a tarantula that possesses some key differences of posterior appendages compared to true spiders, such as the lack of the anterior pair of spinnerets and a second set of book lungs instead of trachea. Based on the observed differences in posterior Hox gene expression in true spiders and tarantulas, we argue that subtle changes in the Hox gene expression of the Hox genes abdA and AbdB are possibly responsible for at least some of the morphological differences seen in true spiders versus tarantulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera, Bermejoagen. nov. and Isiboroagen. nov. are described to house the species Bermejoa zoeaesp. nov. and Isiboroa hamelaesp. nov., respectively. Two new species of existing genera are also described: Plesiopelma mannisp. nov. and Reversopelma herzogisp. nov.Homoeomma peruvianum (Chamberlin, 1916) and Acanthoscurria sacsayhuaman Ferretti, Ochoa & Chaparro, 2016 from Peru are transferred to Isiboroagen. nov., based on palpal bulb morphology and the absence of a stridulation organ. Consequently, the new combinations Isiboroa peruvianacomb. nov. and Isiboroa sacsayhuamancomb. nov. are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiders are good bioindicators of ecological contamination by potentially toxic trace elements such as As, Cd, Hg, In, Ni, Pb, Se Zn and methylmercury (MeHg). Here, we investigated their bioaccumulation in an Indian tarantula, Theraphosidae spider Thrigmopoeus truculentus inhabiting mud embankments along a national highway in the Western Ghats mountains, and the soil contamination. Concentrations in soil were higher than the soil environmental quality criteria of different countries for Cd, Zn and Ni. Concentrations in whole-body of tarantulas (n = 7) were Zn > Se > [Cd, As, Pb, Ni] > In > total mercury (THg) > MeHg. Concentrations of Zn, Cd, Se, THg and MeHg were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to soil, suggesting biomagnification. Our work and the review of past data suggest that spiders can biomagnify Zn, Cd, Se, THg and MeHg; but not Pb, As, In and Ni. For As, Zn, Se, Cd, In and THg, correlations between concentrations in tarantula appendages and whole-body were significant (p < 0.05), suggesting that a non-lethal approach be explored where only appendages of larger tarantulas are analysed. Overall, the Theraphosidae species showed the potential to be used as an indicator of bioaccumulation, and their usefulness should be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, Heterothele caudicula Simon, 1886 (Theraphosidae) is transferred to the genus Thalerommata Ausserer, 1875. Thalerommata caudicula new combination is based on the examination of the type that is characterized by flattened iridescent setae covering the abdomen, a synapomorphy of this genus. Thus, this is the ninth species of the genus known and Heterothele caudicula is removed from the Argentinean theraphosid fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tarantula envenomations are encountered infrequently but may increase with increased exotic animal ownership. This case report presents the first documented toxicity from a Venezuelan suntiger tarantula (VST), Psalmopoeus irminia , and provides a general framework for approaching patients with tarantula exposures. A 35-year-old man presented to an emergency department 4 h after experiencing a bite from his pet VST. He developed erythema, pain, and edema to the bite site on the left thenar eminence that extended proximally. Within 4 h, he developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, throat itching, and tightness. The patient had a blood pressure of 131/105 mm Hg, heart rate of 102 beats/min, 36.6°C, respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min, and SpO 2 of 94%. Laboratory evaluations were within normal limits (other than chronically elevated but improved transaminases). The patient received 0.5 mg epinephrine intramuscularly, 50 mg diphenhydramine IV, 20 mg famotidine IV, 0.4 mg ondansetron IV, and 1 L of normal saline for a suspected anaphylactic reaction. Shortly after epinephrine administration, his gastrointestinal and upper airway symptoms resolved. All symptoms resolved within 1 week. Little is known about VST toxicity. Therefore, providers should rely on a general framework for approaching patients with tarantula exposures. Morbidity from tarantula exposures is mediated by mechanical injury, venom effects, and hypersensitivity reactions. Typical clinical findings include local pain, pruritis, edema, erythema, and burning. Muscle cramping, ophthalmia nodosa, and hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Treatment is primarily supportive and includes decontamination, cool compresses, analgesia, treatment of anaphylaxis, and ophthalmology evaluation if ocular exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new species of Cymbiapophysa Gabriel & Sherwood, 2020 are described from south, central, and north-western Ecuador, showing the wide range of distribution that this genus has in Ecuador and its biogeographical provinces. These three new species are easily differentiated from other congeners based on keel morphology of the male palpal bulb. Supplementary information about the locality of C. magna Sherwood, Gabriel, Brescovit & Lucas, 2021 is provided, alongside additional data on morphology and some commentaries about the general distribution and biogeography of Cymbiapophysa. Additionally, a taxonomic key for males of Cymbiapophysa species is presented, based on the palpal bulb morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invertebrates, including arachnids, are a common taxon in zoological collections. Invertebrate medicine and pathology are emerging subspecialties, but there is limited reference material or published resources describing histologic lesions in arachnids. Histopathology of 26 captive arachnids (20 spiders and 6 scorpions) from institutional collections was reviewed. Most animals were found dead with limited clinical signs. Tissues evaluated included body wall (cuticle and epidermis), skeletal muscle, book lungs, digestive tract (pharynx, esophagus, sucking stomach, midgut tube, midgut diverticula, and stercoral pocket), central and peripheral nervous system, heart, hemolymph vessels and sinuses, Malpighian tubules, coxal glands, and gonads. Inflammation was frequent (24/26, 92%), and seen in multiple organs (18/24, 75%) with the midgut diverticulum most commonly affected (14/24, 58%) followed by the book lungs (13/24 arachnids, 54%), and body wall (8/24 arachnids, 33%). Inflammation comprised hemocyte accumulation, hemocytic coagula, melanization, and nodulation. Infectious agents, including bacteria (11/26, 42%), fungi (10/26, 38%), and parasites (2/26, 8%), were seen within inflammatory aggregates. Coinfection with multiple infectious agents was common (6/24, 25%). No etiologic agent was identified in 7/24 (29%) cases with inflammatory lesions. Lesions suggestive of decreased nutritional status or increased metabolic rate included midgut diverticula atrophy in 11/26 (42%) animals and skeletal muscle atrophy in 6/26 (23%) animals. Atrophic lesions were seen in combination with infection (8/11, 73%), pregnancy (2/11, 18%), male sex (2/11, 18%), or without other lesions (1/11, 9%). Other suspected contributors to death included dysecdysis-associated trauma (2/26, 8%) and uterine intussusception (1/26, 4%). No animals had neoplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Colombian Pacific coast is an amazing natural region, immersed in one of the most unknown biodiversity hotspots in the world. An expedition carried out in the north of this area, at the Jardín Botánico del Pacífico (JBP) in Bahía Solano, Chocó, focused on studying the diversity of the mygalomorph spider fauna, allowed us to discover four new species included in the families Halonoproctidae and Theraphosidae. The trapdoor species Ummidia solana sp. nov., and the theraphosids species Euthycaelus cunampia sp. nov. (Schismatothelinae), Melloina pacifica sp. nov. (Glabropelmatinae), and Neischnocolus mecana sp. nov. (Theraphosinae) are illustrated, diagnosed, and described in detail. Photographs of somatic features and copulatory organs and a distribution map are provided. Morphological, taxonomical, and biogeographical aspects are discussed for each species. All these taxonomic novelties represent the first records of these genera for the region, expanding the range of geographic distribution of each of them. This work constitutes the first effort focused on characterizing the community of Mygalomorphae species in the Chocó Biogeographic Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first formal record of Eucratoscelus pachypus Schmidt & von Wirth, 1990 from Kenya is reported, based on observation of a female on the western slopes of the Chyulu Hills by the second author. This charismatic species is easily identified based on photographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of arachnid species in Tasik Chini was conducted from 22nd to 26th of February 2022. The Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method was employed as the primary approach for arachnid detection. The outcomes of this study provided the first documented literature presenting a checklist of arachnid species identified in the Tasik Chini region. This study records total of 33 arachnid species, encompassing the Araneae, Scorpions, Opiliones, and Thelyphonida families. Notably, two intriguing spider species, namely Damarchus sp. "Chini" (Tube trapdoor spider) and Psednocnemis brachyramosa (Malaysian Blue Femur Tarantula), were discovered during the survey. This marks the initial confirmation of the presence of P. brachyramosa in Pahang, as previous records solely report its occurrence in Gunung Ledang, Johor. To further unravel the distinctive arachnid assemblages within this Man and Biosphere Reserve, future investigations should concentrate on conducting intensive sampling of arachnids in the broader Tasik Chini Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tarantulas (Camel spiders) are order that belong to classes of arachnida and phylum of arthropoda. They can make a painful bite in human. Case Report: This paper presents 34 and 40-year-old men with skin reactions in their left legs. After initial examinations, the symptoms were recognized as skin reaction caused by the bite of some nuisance insects. After one day, a lesion including 2 red dots appeared on the patient's leg. After a few hours, skin lesions were observed in both patient, and by washing with soap and water after 7 days, the symptoms completely disappeared and the bite improved. Conclusion: Increasing awareness among physicians, about the symptoms of this nuisance insects can help to accelerate treatment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil is the country with the most diverse tarantula (Theraphosidae) fauna, having 215 described species. Vitalius Lucas, Silva Júnior & Bertani, 1993 is one of the most diverse and common genera in Southern, Southeastern and Central-West regions of Brazil with ten described species. Individuals of Vitalius species are large and widespread in areas of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. A single species is known to occur in areas of Cerrado vegetation. Herein, two new species are described from areas of restinga, coastal areas typically with low vegetation and sandy soil, in the coast of the states of Rio de Janeiro (Vitalius restinga sp. nov.), Bahia and Sergipe (Vitalius sapiranga sp. nov.). Males and females of these two new species have a much longer than wide sternum. Males have a short apical keel in the male palpal bulb. The two species can be distinguished by embolus width, slender in V. restinga sp. nov. and thicker in V. sapiranga sp. nov. Females can be distinguished by the spermathecae shape, slender in V. restinga sp. nov. and broader in V. sapiranga sp. nov. These are the first known theraphosids endemic to Brazilian Atlantic Coast restingas. Biological data indicate V. sapiranga sp. nov. and maybe V. restinga sp. nov. commonly use bromeliads as retreats. It is herein hypothesized they are sister species occupying similar habitats in Brazilian coast, but separated by ca. 1,000 kilometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of INSPILIP. Revista Ecuatoriana de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovacion en Salud Pública is the property of Instituto Nacional de Investigacion en Salud Publica (INSPI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

CymbiapophysaGabriel & Sherwood, 2020 is a theraphosine genus endemic to South America, diagnosable on genital organ morphology in both sexes, and the presence of a distal-retrolateral apophysis on the male cymbium. Examination of historical material in the Natural History Museum, London, recently revealed a new species from Carondelet, Ecuador, with distinct palpal bulb and tibial apophysis morphology, described herein as Cymbiapophysa seldenisp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrixopelma nadineae sp. nov. is described from Loja, Ecuador, based on the male, which possesses distinctive palpal bulb, metatarsal and tibial apophysis morphology. The new species represents the second species of Thrixopelma to be recorded from Ecuador.

Seven new species of Schismatothele Karsch, 1879 (Araneae, Theraphosidae) are described, almost doubling the diversity of the genus: S. caeri sp. nov.; S. caiquetia sp. nov.; S. merida sp. nov.; S. moonenorum sp. nov.; S. quimbaya sp. nov.; S. timotocuica sp. nov. and S. wayana sp. nov. An identification key for all species of Schismatothele (except S. kastoni) is presented, as well as a complementary diagnosis for the genus. Also, a standardized nomenclature is proposed to describe the prolateral keels of male palpal bulbs of species of Schismatothele.

The lectotype and paralectotype males of Neoholothele incei (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1899) are discussed and the lectotype illustrated. Further records of non-type specimens of N. incei found in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London are listed, and new distribution records verified by the first author on the website iNaturalist are presented, and mapped. Further records of the theraphosine Spinosatibiapalpus trinitatis (Pocock, 1903), derived from additional specimens found in the NHM collections, are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hitherto unknown female of the theraphosine Spinosatibiapalpus trinitatis (Pocock, 1903) is herein described based on the paralectotype series of the schismatotheline Neoholothele incei (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1899) housed in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London.

Thrixopelma nadineae sp. nov. is described from Loja, Ecuador, based on the male, which possesses distinctive palpal bulb, metatarsal and tibial apophysis morphology. The new species represents the second species of Thrixopelma to be recorded from Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the use of rebound tonometry, as a noninvasive diagnostic tool, in arachnids., Methods: 5 juvenile (yearling) female and 1 juvenile male curlyhair tarantulas (Tliltocatl albopilosus, previously Brachypelma albopilosum) were used to track estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures over a 9-month period of time. Younger, growing animals were selected as they are more likely than adults to go through multiple molts throughout the 9 months of the study length. An iCare TONOVET TV01 rebound tonometer was used to measure the estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures of the spiders. Measurements were obtained from the ventral opisthosoma, 1 of the thinnest areas of exocuticle throughout the body. Readings were obtained once per week from the ventral opisthosoma for the first 2 months, then once every 2 weeks for 1 month, then back to once per week for the remainder of the study. Additional measurements were obtained following each ecdysis, after a 2% body weight sampling of hemolymph, and at the end of the study to evaluate readings in response to induction of general anesthesia with 5% isoflurane gas and oxygen flow at 2 L/min for 10 minutes., Results: The average of all estimated ventral opisthosoma pressure when spiders were not in molt was 26.19 mm Hg (SD, 3.54), with a statistically significant decrease postmolt to an average of 15.31 mm Hg (SD, 3.81), followed by a gradual increase back to premolt pressures over a 3-week period with an average of 22 days (SD, 1.93). Estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures decreased post hemolymph removal. There is not sufficient evidence that estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures changed over time following the anesthesia., Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates that tonometry can be used to generally assess the estimated ventral opisthosoma pressure, which could correlate with where a spider is in an ecdysis cycle.

Two new theraphosine genera and one new species are described from Peru, based on material from the collections in the Natural History Museum, London. Anqashagen. n. is described to house Anqasha picta (Pocock, 1903) gen. et comb. n., ex. Hapalopus. The holotype male of A. picta is redescribed, with the female described for the first time. Two new localities for A. picta are recorded, extending the distribution of this species. Another monotypic genus, Murphyarachnegen. n., is described to house a new species Murphyarachne ymasumacaegen. et sp. n. based on a holotype female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spider venoms constitute a trove of novel peptides with biotechnological interest. Paucity of next-generation-sequencing (NGS) data generation has led to a description of less than 1% of these peptides. Increasing evidence supports the underestimation of the assembled genes a single transcriptome assembler can predict. Here, the transcriptome of the venom gland of the spider Pamphobeteus verdolaga was re-assembled, using three free access algorithms, Trinity, SOAPdenovo-Trans, and SPAdes, to obtain a more complete annotation. Assembler's performance was evaluated by contig number, N50, read representation on the assembly, and BUSCO's terms retrieval against the arthropod dataset. Out of all the assembled sequences with all software, 39.26% were common between the three assemblers, and 27.88% were uniquely assembled by Trinity, while 27.65% were uniquely assembled by SPAdes. The non-redundant merging of all three assemblies' output permitted the annotation of 9232 sequences, which was 23% more when compared to each software and 28% more when compared to the previous P. verdolaga annotation; moreover, the description of 65 novel theraphotoxins was possible. In the generation of data for non-model organisms, as well as in the search for novel peptides with biotechnological interest, it is highly recommended to employ at least two different transcriptome assemblers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibition of T-type calcium channels (CaV3) prevents development of diseases related to cardiovascular and nerve systems. Further, knockout animal studies have revealed that some diseases are mediated by specific subtypes of CaV3. However, subtype-specific CaV3 inhibitors for therapeutic purposes or for studying the physiological roles of CaV3 subtypes are missing. To bridge this gap, we employed our spider venom library and uncovered that Avicularia spec. ("Amazonas Purple", Peru) tarantula venom inhibited specific T-type CaV channel subtypes. By using chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques, we isolated and sequenced the active toxin ω-Avsp1a, a C-terminally amidated 36 residue peptide with a molecular weight of 4224.91 Da, which comprised the major peak in the venom. Both native (4.1 μM) and synthetic ω-Avsp1a (10 μM) inhibited 90% of CaV3.1 and CaV3.3, but only 25% of CaV3.2 currents. In order to investigate the toxin binding site, we generated a range of chimeric channels from the less sensitive CaV3.2 and more sensitive CaV3.3. Our results suggest that domain-1 of CaV3.3 is important for the inhibitory effect of ω-Avsp1a on T-type calcium channels. Further studies revealed that a leucine of T-type calcium channels is crucial for the inhibitory effect of ω-Avsp1a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief note is presented on a first case of parasitism by Notocyphus aff. tyrannicus Smith, 1855 on Avicularia purpurea Kirk, 1990 in the Amazon region of Ecuador; being a second case of parasitism on Aviculariinae by one Pompilid wasp. Some considerations about predation and behavior are mentioned in discussions.

The hitherto unknown female of the theraphosine Spinosatibiapalpus trinitatis (Pocock, 1903) is herein described based on the paralectotype series of the schismatotheline Neoholothele incei (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1899) housed in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal - RECIA is the property of Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal - RECIA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For over half a century, Bob Dylan has held what Ben Sisario of the New York Times calls “an almost mythic status as the bard of the current age.” Yet one can argue that the “current age” might well be every age. Since his first recordings sixty years ago, audiences have looked to Dylan as an icon of justice, civil rights, and protest, a sometimes reluctant guide and a voice widely understood to be one of reason and progress. Now, as devastating obstacles wreak havoc worldwide, response to Dylan’s recent work suggests it is may be more significant than ever.

Objetivo. Conocer la percepción de los habitantes sobre la tarántula “rodillas rojas” (Brachypelma smithi) en la colonia Vista Hermosa, municipio de Técpan de Galeana, Guerrero, México. Materiales y métodos. Se entrevistaron a 51 habitantes de la colonia Vista Hermosa. Las preguntas iban orientadas al conocimiento de la población sobre el arácnido. Resultados. En los habitantes se registró un promedio de edad de 25.23±12.16 años, con una mínima de 16 años y una máxima de 59 años. El 37.2% de la población son originarios de Técpan de Galeana, el 72.5% tienen hijos, el 84% pertenecen a la población católica y el 90% tienen casa propia. La mayoría son mujeres (86.27%), con educación primaria (41.18%), ocupación de amas de casa (49.02%) y 3 a 5 hijos (41.18%). La mayoría de la población encuestada mencionan encontrar a la tarántula una vez al año (76.47%), durante la época de aguas (60.78%) y son de color naranja con negro (62.75%). Por su parte, la mayoría de los encuestados mencionan retirar a la tarántula de su casa (50.98%) y otra parte de la población la mata (43.14%). En este sentido, un alto porcentaje las considera peligrosas y toda la población desconoce la existencia de la tarántula rodillas rojas, así como, que es inofensiva. Conclusiones. La urbanización de la colonia Vista Hermosa municipio de Técpan de Galeana, influye activamente en la extinción de la tarántula mexicana rodillas rojas (Brachypelma smithi).

Neoheterophrictus chimminiensis Sunil Jose, 2020 was previously only found in the Chimmini forest area, but it has recently been found in the Nelliyampathy forest region of Western Ghats, indicating its distribution. Taxonomic description illustrations and measurements of N. chimminiensis are added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The holotype of Hapalotremus albipesSimon, 1903 is redescribed. Four new species of the genus HapalotremusSimon, 1903 are described: Hapalotremus apasankasp. nov., Hapalotremus hananqheswasp. nov., and Hapalotremus kaderkaisp. nov. from Peru, and Hapalotremus yuraqchankasp. nov. from Bolivia. Discussion on palpal bulb morphology, ontogenetic spermathecal morphology, and biogeography is presented. Historical information about collectors and comments on the accession numbers and other label information of historical specimens is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ischnocoline genus CatumiriGuadanucci, 2004 comprises four species distributed in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. The type species Catumiri petropoliumGuadanucci, 2004 is known only from the male. We here provide a new diagnosis for Catumiri, describe the female of C. petropolium, and report new records of this species from Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Reserva Biológica do Tinguá and Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We also expand the distribution of Catumiri parvum (Keyserling, 1878) to Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra, Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, Alegrete, Rosário do Sul, Santana do Livramento, Pinheiro Machado, Bagé, and Jaguarão, all from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and Cerro de Los Cuervos, Lavalleja, Uruguay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of CymbiapophysaGabriel & Sherwood, 2020, C. magnasp. nov. is described from Colombia. Proshapalopus marimbaiPerafán & Valencia-Cuéllar, 2018 is transferred to Cymbiapophysa from ProshapalopusMello-Leitão, 1923, based on male palpal bulb and tibial apophysis morphology, female spermathecal morphology, comparative labial cuspule counts in both sexes, and biogeography, creating the new combination Cymbiapophysa marimbaicomb. nov. Aspects of some structures of the male palpal bulb are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tarantula toxins that bind to voltage-sensing domains of voltage-activated ion channels are thought to partition into the membrane and bind to the channel within the bilayer. While no structures of a voltage-sensor toxin bound to a channel have been solved, a structural homolog, psalmotoxin (PcTx1), was recently crystalized in complex with the extracellular domain of an acid sensing ion channel (ASIC). In the present study we use spectroscopic, biophysical and computational approaches to compare membrane interaction properties and channel binding surfaces of PcTx1 with the voltage-sensor toxin guangxitoxin (GxTx-1E). Our results show that both types of tarantula toxins interact with membranes, but that voltage-sensor toxins partition deeper into the bilayer. In addition, our results suggest that tarantula toxins have evolved a similar concave surface for clamping onto α-helices that is effective in aqueous or lipidic physical environments.

Spider venoms constitute a trove of novel peptides with biotechnological interest. Paucity of next-generation-sequencing (NGS) data generation has led to a description of less than 1% of these peptides. Increasing evidence supports the underestimation of the assembled genes a single transcriptome assembler can predict. Here, the transcriptome of the venom gland of the spider Pamphobeteus verdolaga was re-assembled, using three free access algorithms, Trinity, SOAPdenovo-Trans, and SPAdes, to obtain a more complete annotation. Assembler’s performance was evaluated by contig number, N50, read representation on the assembly, and BUSCO’s terms retrieval against the arthropod dataset. Out of all the assembled sequences with all software, 39.26% were common between the three assemblers, and 27.88% were uniquely assembled by Trinity, while 27.65% were uniquely assembled by SPAdes. The non-redundant merging of all three assemblies’ output permitted the annotation of 9232 sequences, which was 23% more when compared to each software and 28% more when compared to the previous P. verdolaga annotation; moreover, the description of 65 novel theraphotoxins was possible. In the generation of data for non-model organisms, as well as in the search for novel peptides with biotechnological interest, it is highly recommended to employ at least two different transcriptome assemblers.

Inhibition of T-type calcium channels (CaV3) prevents development of diseases related to cardiovascular and nerve systems. Further, knockout animal studies have revealed that some diseases are mediated by specific subtypes of CaV3. However, subtype-specific CaV3 inhibitors for therapeutic purposes or for studying the physiological roles of CaV3 subtypes are missing. To bridge this gap, we employed our spider venom library and uncovered that Avicularia spec. (“Amazonas Purple”, Peru) tarantula venom inhibited specific T-type CaV channel subtypes. By using chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques, we isolated and sequenced the active toxin ω-Avsp1a, a C-terminally amidated 36 residue peptide with a molecular weight of 4224.91 Da, which comprised the major peak in the venom. Both native (4.1 μM) and synthetic ω-Avsp1a (10 μM) inhibited 90% of CaV3.1 and CaV3.3, but only 25% of CaV3.2 currents. In order to investigate the toxin binding site, we generated a range of chimeric channels from the less sensitive CaV3.2 and more sensitive CaV3.3. Our results suggest that domain-1 of CaV3.3 is important for the inhibitory effect of ω-Avsp1a on T-type calcium channels. Further studies revealed that a leucine of T-type calcium channels is crucial for the inhibitory effect of ω-Avsp1a.

A new species of Umbyquyra Gargiulo, Brescovit & Lucas, 2018, Umbyquyra gurleyisp. nov., is described from Goiás, Brazil, based on distinctive palpal bulb morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ausserer, 1875 is a South American genus of spiders of the family Theraphosidae known from Chile and Argentina. Three new species from Argentina: Euathlus mauryi sp. n. (from San Juan province), Euathlus grismadoi sp. n. (from La Rioja province), and Euathlus pampa sp. n. (from Salta province) are described here. New records of the previous species Euathlus diamante and Euathlus tenebrarum are contributed. The distribution of these new species expands the geographical distribution of the genus along the Andean hills, with Salta province as the northernmost record of the genus. A key is provided for identification of Euathlus species as well as a map with all the records in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Costa Rican theraphosine Aenigmarachne sinapophysisSchmidt, 2005 is redescribed and the problematic type locality given by Schmidt (2005) is discussed. Other inconsistencies were found in Schmidt (2005), including erroneous information on urticating setae types, and are addressed. The systematic placement of AenigmarachneSchmidt, 2005 in relation to other Mesoamerican theraphosine genera is briefly discussed, within the confines of the presently available data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two exuviae from a gynandromorph specimen of the theraphosid spider Theraphosa blondi (Latreille, 1804) are illustrated and discussed. This work presents the first detailed report of gynandromorphic morphology within the exuviae of theraphosid spiders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]