Rogério Bertani

MALE PALPAL BULBS AND HOMOLOGOUS FEATURES IN THERAPHOSINAE (ARANEAE, THERAPHOSIDAE)

Abstract A first attempt to homologize male palpal bulb structures of theraphosine spiders is made, with the aim of providing systematic characters. The morphology and distribution of palpal bulb keels of over 60 species in 27 genera of Theraphosinae is presented and discussed. Four basic groups of keels were recognized and a terminology was created to name them: prolateral inferior and prolateral superior keels, for the two more or less parallel keels found on the prolateral bulb face; apical keel, for the ventral keel located just before the apex of the embolus; subapical keel, for a keel located just before the apical keel; and, retrolateral keel, for the keel located on the retrolateral region, originating on the apical region and extending backwards. Other palpal bulb keels, apart from these four basic groups, as well as other structures, were found in some genera and/or species, constituting apomorphies for these groups.

Mygalomorph spider bites: a report on 91 cases in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

From 1966 to 1991 91 cases of bites due to mygalomorph spiders were recorded at the Hospital Vital Brazil, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil, representing less than 1% of all spider bites. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive identification of the spider involved. Envenoming is generally mild, the main symptom is local pain, and there is minor oedema and erythema. The data confirm the assumption that these nonaggressive spiders pose no health problem.

Morphology, evolution and usage of urticating setae by tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

Urticating setae are exclusive to New World tarantulas and are found in approximately 90% of the New World species. Six morphological types have been proposed and, in several species, two morphological types can be found in the same individual. In the past few years, there has been growing concern to learn more about urticating setae, but many questions still remain unanswered. After studying individuals from several theraphosid species, we endeavored to find more about the segregation of the different types of setae into different abdominal regions, and the possible existence of patterns; the morphological variability of urticating setae types and their limits; whether there is variability in the length of urticating setae across the abdominal area; and whether spiders use different types of urticating setae differently. We found that the two types of urticating setae, which can be found together in most theraphosine species, are segregated into distinct areas on the spiders abdomen: type III occurs on the median and posterior areas with either type I or IV surrounding the patch of type III setae. Morphological intermediates between types I and III, as well as between III and IV, were found. We propose that type III urticating setae have evolved through modifications of body setae on specific areas of abdomen dorsum and subsequently gave independent origin to areas having either type I or IV. A parallel evolution seems to have occurred in some aviculariine genera in which type II setae evolved also from body setae from specific areas of abdomen dorsum. Concerning the length of the setae, we observed that towards the median and posterior areas of the abdomen the length of the urticating setae increases. These long setae are cast by the spider as part of an active defensive behavior against vertebrate predators. We propose that spiders use the various types of urticating setae differently and according to their different targets: type I setae, when incorporated either into the molting web or eggsac, is more effective against invertebrates (ants or phorid fly larvae) than type III. The latter seems to be used mainly against vertebrate predators.

Revision, cladistic analysis and biogeography of Typhochlaena C. L. Koch, 1850, Pachistopelma Pocock, 1901 and Iridopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae)

Abstract Three aviculariine genera endemic to Brazil are revised. Typhochlaena C. L. Koch, 1850 is resurrected, including five species; Pachistopelma Pocock, 1901 includes two species; and Iridopelma Pocock, 1901, six species. Nine species are newly described: Typhochlaena amma sp. n., Typhochlaena costae sp. n., Typhochlaena curumim sp. n., Typhochlaena paschoali sp. n., Pachistopelma bromelicola sp. n., Iridopelma katiae sp. n., Iridopelma marcoi sp. n., Iridopelma oliveirai sp. n. and Iridopelma vanini sp. n. Three new synonymies are established: Avicularia pulchra Mello-Leitão, 1933 and Avicularia recifiensis Struchen & Brändle, 1996 are junior synonyms of Pachistopelma rufonigrum Pocock, 1901 syn. n., and Avicularia palmicola Mello-Leitão, 1945 is a junior synonym of Iridopelma hirsutum Pocock, 1901 syn. n. Pachistopelma concolor Caporiacco, 1947 is transferred to Tapinauchenius Ausserer, 1871, making the new combination Tapinauchenius concolor (Caporiacco, 1947) comb. n. Lectotypes are newly designed for Pachistopelma rufonigrum Pocock, 1901 , Iridopelma hirsutum Pocock, 1901 and Pachistopelma concolor Caporiacco, 1947. Cladistic analyses using both equal and implied weights were carried out with a matrix comprising 62 characters and 38 terminal taxa. The chosen cladogram found with X-Pee-Wee and concavity 6 suggests they are monophyletic. All species are keyed and mapped and information on species habitat and area cladograms are presented. Discussion on biogeography and conservation is provided.

Tmesiphantes hypogeus sp. nov. (Araneae, Theraphosidae), the first troglobitic tarantula from Brazil

A new species of Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892, is described from sandstone/quartizitic caves of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia State, Brazil. This is the fifth species of the genus and the first record of a troglobitic mygalomorph in Brazil. A key is presented for all Tmesiphantes species.

Loxosceles chapadensis (Araneae: Sicariidae): a new recluse spider species of the gaucho group from Brazil

Abstract A new species of the medically important recluse spider genus Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe 1832 is described from the State of Bahia, Brazil. The species occurs between rocks and crevices, as well as in and around man-made structures. The new species belongs to the gaucho group, as evidenced by the spermathecal shape and color pattern. The presence of a long male palpal tibia is unusual in the gaucho group; thus, the inclusion of the new species in this group is discussed.

Mating behavior of Sickius longibulbi (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Ischnocolinae), a spider that lacks spermathecae

Abstract We describe the mating behavior in the spermatheca-lacking theraphosid species Sickius longibulbi Soares & Camargo 1948. The behavior in captivity of nine pairs of S. longibulbi was videotaped and analyzed. The mating of this species presented an uncommon theraphosid pattern. There is little in the way of overt courtship by the male, the primary behavior seen being the males use of legs I and II to touch the females first pairs of legs and her chelicerae. Sometimes the male clasped one of the females first pairs of legs, bringing her close to him. While the female raised her body, the male clasped her fangs and held her tightly with his legs III wrapped around her prosoma. The male seemed to try to knock the female down, pushing her entire body until she lay on her dorsum. In this phase we observed the male biting the female on the sternum or on the leg joints. When the female fell, the male attempted to position himself at an angle of 90° from the female. These movements appear to demand a lot of energy, particularly because the female is not passive during the mating. Our findings suggest that copulating in this position is, for the male, more successful than adopting other positions because it allows his extremely long palpal bulbs to deposit more sperm in the female oviduct where - since she lacks spermathecae - she retains the sperm. We suggest that the further he reaches into the oviduct, the greater the chance that he will fertilize the females eggs.

Loxosceles niedeguidonae (Araneae, Sicariidae) a new species of brown spider from Brazilian semi-arid region

Abstract A new species of recluse spider, Loxosceles niedeguidonae sp. n., is described from the Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara, State of Piauí, Brazil. This is the first endemic species described from Brazilian semi-arid environment. The species is included in gaucho group of Gertsch (1967) due to its spermathecal shape and is considered close to Loxosceles chapadensis Bertani, Fukushima & Nagahama, 2010 by the unusual long male palpal tibia, a character not common for species of this group. An updated key for Loxosceles species of gaucho group is presented.

The identity of Mygale brunnipes C.L. Koch 1842 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with a redescription of the species and the description of a new genus

Abstract We describe Kochiana new genus to accommodate a small Brazilian theraphosine species described originally as Mygale brunnipes by Koch (1842), resulting in Kochiana brunnipes new combination. Recently, specimens were rediscovered in northeastern Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. A preliminary cladistic analysis using equal weights parsimony and implied weights, was carried out to examine its phylogenetic placement. Kochiana new genus was monophyletic in all trees regardless of weighting scheme or concavity used. There is preliminary evidence for Kochiana new genus monophyly and weak evidence for its placement as sister group of Plesiopelma. Kochiana new genus can be characterized by the presence of a hornshaped spermatheca in females and males with a palpal bulb having prolateral accessory keels and a well developed medial crest on the embolus apex.

On the Avicularia (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Aviculariinae) species from Uruguay

Abstract The taxonomic status of four species of Avicularia Lamarck 1818 described from Uruguay: Avicularia anthracina (C.L. Koch 1842), Avicularia alticeps (Keyserling 1878), Avicularia parva (Keyserling 1878) and Avicularia tigrina (Pocock 1903) is discussed. The holotypes and/or original descriptions of these species were examined, and two taxonomic synonymies are needed, which are presented herein. Avicularia anthracina is transferred to Grammostola, resulting in Grammostola anthracina (C.L. Koch 1842) new combination and is considered a senior synonym of Grammostola mollicoma Ausserer 1875 new synonymy. Likewise, Avicularia parva is transferred to Catumiri Guadanucci 2004, where it is placed in the synonymy of Catumiri uruguayense Guadanucci 2004 new synonymy. Avicularia tigrina and Avicularia alticeps, originally described in the genera Ischnocolus Ausserer 1875 and Pterinopelma Pocock 1901, respectively, are herein considered nomina dubia since their types are presumed lost.