Abstract Background: Members of the genus Cupiennius Simon, 1891 are categorized as wandering spiders and are part of the family Trechaleidae. The genomics and proteomics of Cupiennius spiders from North America remain uncharacterized. The present study explores for the first time molecular data from the endemic species Cupiennius chiapanensis Medina, 2006, and also presents new data for Cupiennius salei (Keyserling, 1878), both collected in southern Mexico. Methods: In total, 88 Cupiennius specimens were collected from southern Mexico and morphologically identified. DNA was extracted and the mitochondrial COI fragment was amplified. COI sequences were analyzed, and a phylogenetic tree was inferred for species from the Americas. Genetic diversity was analyzed using haplotype networks and gene distances. Venom was obtained from C. chiapanensis and C. salei by electrostimulation. The venom was separated by HPLC, visualized using SDS-PAGE, and quantified for use in toxicity bioassays in mice and insects. Results: Analysis of COI sequences from C. chiapanensis showed 94% identity with C. salei, while C. salei exhibited 94-97% identity with sequences from Central and South American conspecifics. The venom from C. chiapanensis exhibited toxic activity against crickets. Venoms from C. chiapanensis and C. salei caused death in Anastrepha obliqua flies. Analysis of venom fractions from C. salei and C. chiapanensis revealed molecular masses of a similar size as some previously reported toxins and neurotoxic components. We determined the amino acid sequences of ChiaTx1 and ChiaTx2, toxins that are reported here for the first time and which showed toxicity against mice and insects. Conclusion: Our work is the first to report COI-based DNA barcoding sequences from southern Mexican Cupiennius spiders. Compounds with toxic activity were identified in venom from both species. Background Simon 189 Trechaleidae uncharacterized Medina 2006 Keyserling, Keyserling (Keyserling 1878, 1878 , 1878) Methods total 8 amplified Americas distances C electrostimulation HPLC SDSPAGE, SDSPAGE SDS PAGE, PAGE SDS-PAGE insects Results 94 9497% 9497 97% 97 94-97 conspecifics crickets flies components ChiaTx ChiaTx2 Conclusion COIbased based 18 200 187 9 949 94-9 1 20 94- 2

Abstract Background: Phonotimpus pennimani (Araneae, Phrurolithidae) is a small-sized (3-5 mm) spider endemic to the Tacaná volcano in Chiapas, Mexico, where it is found in soil litter of cloud forests and coffee plantations. Its venom composition has so far not been investigated, partly because it is not a species of medical significance. However, it does have an important impact on the arthropod populations of its natural habitat. Methods: Specimens were collected in Southeastern Mexico (Chiapas) and identified taxonomically by morphological characteristics. A partial sequence from the mitochondrial gene coxI was amplified. Sequencing on the Illumina platform of a transcriptome library constructed from 12 adult specimens revealed 25 toxin or toxin-like genes. Transcripts were validated (RT-qPCR) by assessing the differential expression of the toxin-like PpenTox1 transcript and normalising with housekeeping genes. Results: Analysis of the coxI-gene revealed a similarity to other species of the family Phrurolithidae. Transcriptome analysis also revealed similarity with venom components of species from the families Ctenidae, Lycosidae, and Sicariidae. Expression of the toxin-like PpenTox1 gene was different for each developmental stage (juvenile or adult) and also for both sexes (female or male). Additionally, a partial sequence was obtained for the toxin-like PpenTox1 from DNA. Conclusion: Data from the amplification of the mitochondrial coxI gene confirmed that P. pennimani belongs to the family Phrurolithidae. New genes and transcripts coding for venom components were identified. Background Araneae, Araneae (Araneae Phrurolithidae smallsized small sized 35 3 5 (3- mm Chiapas plantations investigated significance However habitat Methods (Chiapas characteristics amplified 1 2 toxinlike like RTqPCR RT qPCR (RT-qPCR PpenTox Results coxIgene Ctenidae Lycosidae Sicariidae juvenile female male. male . male) Additionally DNA Conclusion P (3 (

Resumen Este estudio se enfoca en la riqueza de especies, abundancia, diversidad y variación estacional de las arañas en dos cultivos de café con diferente manejo y una porción de bosque tropical en dos municipios de la región Costa de Oaxaca, México, utilizando la colecta manual, agitación del follaje y trampas de caída. Se recolectaron 2,210 arañas pertenecientes a 35 familias, 100 géneros y 146 especies. El inventario incluye 51 nuevos registros de especies para Oaxaca. Los valores de completitud de dos estimadores indican que el nivel de representación de los inventarios oscila entre el 68.25 % y el 78.44 %, mientras que la proporción de singletons fue de 33.72 % y 38.14 %. La abundancia de arañas en la estación lluviosa fue significativamente menor que durante la estación secas. La abundancia de arañas en el Bosque Tropical fue significativamente menor que en el Monocultivo con el método de agitación de follaje. El Policultivo fue el sitio con menor abundancia de arañas con el método de trampas de caída. Las curvas de rarefacción no mostraron diferencias significativas en la riqueza de especies entre los sitios y estaciones. La prueba t de Hutcheson mostró que la diversidad de arañas fue significativamente menor en el Monocultivo que en el Bosque Tropical durante la estación lluviosa. Este estudio contribuye al conocimiento de la aracnofauna de México y particularmente del estado de Oaxaca.

Abstract This study focuses on species richness, abundance, diversity, and seasonal variation of spiders in two coffee plantations with different crop management and a portion of tropical forest in two municipalities of La Costa region of Oaxaca, Mexico, using manual collection, foliage beating and pitfall traps. We collected 2,210 spiders belonging to 35 families, 100 genera and 146 species. The inventory includes 51 new species records for Oaxaca. Completeness values for two estimators indicate that the level of representation of inventories range from 68.25% to 78.44%, and the proportion of singletons range from 33.72% to 38.14%. Spider abundance in the rainy season was significantly lower than during the dry season. Spider abundance in the Tropical Forest was significantly lower than Monoculture site with the foliage beating method. Polyculture was the site with the lowest spider abundance with the pitfall traps. Rarefaction curves did not show significant differences in species richness between the sites and seasons. Hutcheson t-test showed that spider diversity was significantly lower in Monoculture than Tropical Forest during the rainy season. This study contributes to the knowledge of the arachnofauna of Mexico and particularly of the state of Oaxaca.

Resumen El género de arañas StrotarchusSimon, 1888 incluye 18 especies actuales para el continente americano (12 de México). Adicionalmente, se han descrito dos especies fósiles de este género, Strotarchus paradoxus (Petrunkevitch, 1963) de ámbar de México (Chiapas), y Strotarchus heidtiWunderlich, 1988 de ámbar de la República Dominicana. A partir de dos piezas de ámbar de Chiapas, describimos aquí por primera vez, el macho de la araña fósil S. paradoxus conocida previamente solo por un ejemplar hembra preservado en ámbar de la misma localidad. Además, se propone una diagnosis para esta especie con base en las características de la hembra descrita por Petrunkevitch (1963) y del macho aquí descrito.

Abstract The spider genus StrotarchusSimon, 1888 includes 18 extant species from the American continent (12 from Mexico). Additionally, two fossil species have been described for this genus, Strotarchus paradoxus (Petrunkevitch, 1963) from Mexican amber (Chiapas), and Strotarchus heidtiWunderlich, 1988 from Dominican Republic amber. From two pieces of amber from Chiapas, here we describe for the first time, the male of the fossil spider S. paradoxus previously known only by a female specimen preserved in amber from the same locality. Moreover, a diagnosis is proposed for this species based on the characteristics of the female described by Petrunkevitch (1963) and the male here described.

Abstract We carried out an intensive and systematized sampling of the spider fauna of the tropical mountain cloud forest (TMCF) in El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico, in order to analyze their composition, species richness, abundance, and proportion of undescribed species, and to compare these results with those found in other TMCFs. We sampled ten plots in two seasons (dry and rainy) using different sampling techniques on two strata (ground and understory). A total of 7,432 specimens were collected corresponding to 28 families, 78 genera and 111 morphospecies. A high proportion of total species (58.6%) were undescribed species. For 11 species originally described from a single sex, we found the other sex. Five species and one genus were new records for the Mexican spider fauna. Understory stratum had higher numbers of species and individuals than ground stratum, and there was a high species turnover, with only 17% of the total species shared between strata. The spider fauna of El Triunfo shows similarities with other TMCFs (especially that on the same mountain range) concerning the identities of dominant and species-rich families, family and genera composition, the presence and relevance (in abundance or richness) of families that are uncommon in lowland tropical habitats (Linyphiidae and Theridiosomatidae), and in the high proportion of undescribed species. However, there is a high species turnover among sites (only 16% species shared), even at relatively short distances, that seems derived in part from the relative high proportions of endemic species. Our results suggest that high abundance of Theridiosomatidae and Linyphiidae, together with high species richness of this last family, could be used as conservation indicators for the Mexican TMCFs. The high numbers of undescribed species in the analyzed TMCFs, and their relatively high endemicity levels, support that TMCFs could be regarded as hotspots for the order Araneae.

Resumen Se realizó un muestreo intensivo y sistematizado de la araneofauna del bosque mesófilo de montaña (BMM) en la Reserva de la Biosfera El Triunfo, Chiapas, México, para analizar su composición, riqueza de especies, abundancia y proporción de especies no descritas, y para comparar estos resultados con los encontrados en otros BMMs. Se muestrearon diez parcelas en dos temporadas (secas y lluvias) empleando diferentes técnicas de muestreo sobre dos estratos (suelo y sotobosque). Se colectó un total de 7,432 especímenes, correspondientes a 28 familias, 78 géneros y 111 morfoespecies. Se encontró una alta proporción de especies no descritas (58.6%). Para 11 especies descritas originalmente con un solo sexo, se encontró el otro sexo. Cinco especies y un género fueron nuevos registros para la araneofauna mexicana. El estrato del sotobosque presentó la mayor riqueza de especies y el mayor número de individuos respecto al estrato del suelo, y hubo un alto recambio de especies, con solo 17% del total de especies compartidas entre estratos. La araneofauna de El Triunfo muestra similitudes con otros BMMs (especialmente con uno de la misma cordillera) respecto a la identidad de las familias más ricas en especies y dominantes, así como en la composición de familias y géneros, la presencia y relevancia (en abundancia o riqueza) de familias que no son comunes en los hábitats tropicales de tierras bajas (Linyphiidae y Theridiosomatidae), y en la elevada proporción de especies no descritas. Sin embargo, se observó un alto recambio de especies entre sitios (solo 16% de especies compartidas), aún a distancias relativamente cortas, lo que parece ligado a proporciones relativamente altas de especies endémicas. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la alta abundancia de Theridiosomathidae y Linyphiidae, junto con la alta riqueza de especies de esta última familia, podrían ser empleadas como indicadores de conservación para los BMMs de México. El alto número de especies no descritas en los BMM analizados, y sus relativamente altos niveles de endemicidad, soportan la hipótesis de que los BMMs podrían ser considerados como posibles hotspot para el orden Araneae.

ABSTRACT: We studied the predatory behavior of two spider species of the genus Phonotimpus (Araneae: Phrurolithidae) when confronted with four different types of potential prey (one Collembola, two Hemiptera and one Psocoptera). These spiders live in the soil leaf litter of a cloud forest and coffee orchards in Chiapas, Mexico. There are no previous studies of the hunting behavior for this spiders’ family. Due to the small size of the spiders, the study was made in laboratory conditions with video recordings of the encounters with each prey type. From the analyses of the video recordings we established a catalog of 16 behavioral acts that the spiders displayed in the encounters with prey, among these we characterized “waving” and “attack”. The recordings showed that both spider species had significant higher aptitudes to attack and capture springtails than hemipterans and psocopterans, the spiders displayed a richer behavioral repertoire when confronted the springtails and, for Phonotimpus pennimani a higher activity level when confronting the springtails. Thus, our results are similar to other studies on prey consumption in laboratory conditions by two different species of Phrurolithidae, pointing as highly possible that, in its natural habitat, springtails are an important part of the prey spectrum of the Phrurolithidae. The recordings also showed that both spider species employ two hunting strategies. One is ambushing, where the spider remains fixed in one place for relatively long periods, waiting for the approach of a potential prey, and the other is active searching, where the spider actively wanders its milieu until it encounters a potential prey. In terms of the distribution of times during encounters, ambushing predominated over active searching.

RESUMEN: Se estudió el comportamiento depredador de dos especies de arañas del género Phonotimpus (Araneae: Phrurolithidae) frente a cuatro tipos diferentes de presas potenciales (un Collembola, dos Hemiptera y un Psocoptera). Estas arañas habitan en la hojarasca del suelo de un bosque de niebla y de un cafetal en Chiapas, México. No existen estudios previos sobre el comportamiento de caza de esta familia de arañas. Debido al reducido tamaño de las arañas, el estudio se realizó en laboratorio, mediante videograbaciones de los encuentros con cada tipo de presa. A partir de las grabaciones se elaboró un catálogo de 16 actos de comportamiento que las arañas presentaron durante los encuentros con las presas, entre los que destacan el de “abanicar” y el de “ataque”. Las grabaciones evidenciaron que ambas especies de arañas tuvieron una capacidad significativamente mayor de ataque y captura de los colémbolos que de los hemípteros y psocópteros, además de presentar un repertorio más variado de actos frente a los colémbolos y, para Phonotimpus pennimani un mayor nivel de actividad durante los encuentros con colémbolos. Así, nuestros resultados son similares a los de otros autores que estudiaron el consumo de presas en laboratorio, por dos especies distintas de Phrurolithidae, indicando que es altamente posible que en su hábitat natural los colémbolos sean parte importante de las presas de las Phrurolithidae. Las grabaciones también mostraron que ambas especies de arañas emplean dos estrategias de caza. Una es la emboscada, donde la araña permanece fija en un sitio por periodos relativamente prolongados, a la espera de la aproximación de una presa potencial, y la otra es la búsqueda activa, en la que la araña recorre activamente su entorno hasta que se topa con una presa potencial. De las dos estrategias, hubo un claro predominio de la emboscada, en cuanto su distribución de tiempos durante los encuentros.

Abstract: New records of Hibana futilis (Banks, 1898) (adult female), Marpissa pikei (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) (adult male), Metacyrba punctata (Peckham & Peckham, 1894) (juveniles) and Paraphidippus fartilis (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) (adult female) from Jalisco state are provided. Marpissa pikei is a new record from Mexico.

Diversity and temporal variation of arboreal spiders were studied in 2 cocoa plantations with different agronomic management in Chiapas, Mexico. Sampling was made by direct visual collecting on cocoa trees randomly selected. The collected specimens (8 394) represent 28 families, 66 genera and 89 morphospecies, with 57 of these identified to species. The inventory includes 1 new species, 1 genus and 9 species are new records for Mexico, and 1 genus and 4 species are new records for the state of Chiapas. All samplings had a completeness value above 89% of the estimated species (Chao1). In the dry season, the site with traditional management had higher species richness, while in the rainy season and for the whole sampling period the site with modernized management had higher species richness. This site had the higher values of diversity (Shannon index) for all samplings, but its evenness and species richness components differ between sites in each season. Although qualitative similarity (Chao-Sorensen index) was very high between sites (> 0.9), cluster analyses showed a clear division between sites, while quantitative similarity (Bray-Curtis index) was only modest and without a clear division between sites.

Se estudiaron la diversidad y la estacionalidad de las arañas arborícolas de 2 cacaotales con diferente manejo agronómico en Chiapas, México, mediante recolectas directas sobre árboles seleccionados al azar. Los especímenes recolectados (8,394) representan 28 familias, 66 géneros y 89 morfoespecies, de las cuales 57 se identificaron a nivel de especie. El inventario incluye 1 especie nueva; 1 género y 9 especies como registros nuevos para México; 1 género y 4 especies como registros nuevos para Chiapas. La integridad (completeness) de todos los muestreos rebasó el 89% de las especies estimadas (Chao1). La mayor riqueza de especies correspondió al sitio con manejo tradicional en la época seca y al sitio con manejo tecnificado en la época de lluvias y para todo el periodo de muestreos. Este último sitio tuvo los valores más altos de heterogeneidad (índice de Shannon) en todos los muestreos, pero su equitabilidad y riqueza difirieron entre los sitios en cada época. La similitud cualitativa (índice de Chao-Sorensen) entre los 2 sitios fue muy elevada (> 0.9), pero los análisis de conglomerados revelaron una marcada separación entre los sitos. La similitud cuantitativa (índice de Bray-Curtis) fue solo moderada y sin una clara separación entre los sitos.

A spider inventory from forest floor and understory in 2 sites of the cloud montane forest of the Biosphere Reserve Volcán Tacaná, Chiapas was undertaken. Soil spiders were collected using pitfall traps and processing litter in Berlese funnels; understory spiders were captured by hand collecting, sweeping, beating, and with shelter traps. Collected specimens correspond to 32 families, 99 genera and 151 species, which represent 32.5% of the spiders recorded for the state of Chiapas. There are 7 new records of genera and 12 of species for Mexico and 6 genera and 9 species for Chiapas. The families with most species richness were Theridiidae, Linyphiidae, Anyphaenidae, Araneidae and Salticidae. In the forest floor were recorded 75 species, 57 genera and 26 families and in the understory 112 species, 74 genera and 22 families. Both strata shared 36 species, and 39 and 76 species were exclusive to the forest floor and to the understory respectively. Complementarity between the 2 strata was 76.2%.

Se realizó un estudio para conocer la fauna de arañas del suelo y del sotobosque en 2 sitios de bosque mesófilo de montaña de la Reserva de la Biosfera Volcán Tacaná. Las arañas del suelo se recolectaron con trampas de caída y mediante el procesamiento de hojarasca en embudos de Berlese; para las arañas del sotobosque se realizaron recolectas directas, por golpeo (red y manta) y con trampas de refugio. En total se registraron 32 familias, 99 géneros y 151 especies, que representan 32.5% de la araneofauna del estado de Chiapas. Se encontraron 7 registros nuevos de géneros y 12 de especies para México, así como de 6 géneros y 9 especies para el estado de Chiapas. Las familias con mayor riqueza fueron Theridiidae, Linyphiidae, Anyphaenidae, Araneidae y Salticidae. En el suelo se registraron 75 especies, 57 géneros y 26 familias mientras que en el sotobosque se encontraron 112 especies, 74 géneros y 22 familias; 36 especies fueron comunes a los 2 estratos, en tanto que 39 fueron exclusivas del suelo y 76 del sotobosque. La complementariedad entre los 2 estratos fue de 76.2%.

Se estudiaron 80 parcelas productoras de cacao en cuatro áreas de la región del Soconusco, Chiapas, México, con el objetivo de conocer la diversidad arbórea. Se utilizaron los índices de diversidad de Shannon y de Simpson, y de similitud de Sørensen y de Morisita-Horn. Se establecieron 80 sitios de muestreo de 30×30m cada uno en donde se registró densidad, riqueza y diámetro a la altura del pecho. Se encontraron 47 especies agrupadas en 23 familias. Tapachula presentó diferencias significativas con los demás sitios al aplicar la prueba t de student a los valores del índice de Shannon entre pares de sitios; las otras tres áreas no mostraron diferencias estadísticas significativas y los índices de similitud mostraron diferencias entre pares de sitios. La composición florística en los cacaotales estudiados es similar entre los diferentes municipios, como lo muestran las reducidas diferencias entre los valores del índice de Sørensen. Las especies de sombra más frecuentemente encontradas fueron Mangifera indica y Pouteria sapota. Este estudio determina la existencia de solo un tipo de sistema agroforestal para los cacaotales del Soconusco.

Eighty parcels producing cacao in four areas at the Soconusco region, Chiapas, Mexico, were studied in order to analyze the arboreal diversity. The diversity indexes of Shannon and Simpson, and the similarity indexes of Sørensen and Morisita-Horn were applied. Eighty sample sites, 30×30m each, were established and density, riches, and diameter at breast height were measured. Forty seven species grouped in 23 families were found. Shannnon’s diversity index showed significant differences when analyzed by site pairs at the Tapachula site, while the other three areas did not show significant statistical differences between pairs of sites. The floristic composition in the cacao plantations studied is similar among the different municipalities, as shown by the absence of statistical differences in the Sørensen index. The most frequent shadow species found were Mangifera indica and Pouteria sapota. This study found only one type of agro-forestry system at the cacao sites in the Soconusco region.

Este projeto tem por objetivo avaliar a diversidade florestal, por meio do uso dos índices de diversidade de Shannon, Simpson, e da similaridade de Sørensen e de Morisita-Chifre. Foram estudadas 80 parcelas na região de Soconusco, em Chiapas, México, onde 80 locais de amostragem medindo 30 x 30m foram estabelecidas para registro das seguintes variáveis: densidade, riqueza e diâmetro à altura do peito. Foram encontradas 47 espécies representando 23 famílias. O índice da diversidade de Shannon mostrou diferenças significativas ao se analisar por pares dos locais, estas incluíram a municipalidade de Tapachula. As outras três associações não mostraram diferenças estatísticas significativas, mas os índices da similaridade mostraram diferenças entre pares dos locais. A composição da flores nas plantações de cacau estudadas foi similar entre as municipalidades, uma vez que não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas. Entretanto, as espécies mais freqüentemente encontradas da máscara foram Mangifera indica e Pouteria sapota. Este estudo determina a única existência de um tipo de sistema agro-florestais para as plantações de cacau da região de Soconusco.