Morphological and Molecular Data Reveal Two New Cryptic Spider Species of the Pholcus yichengicus Species Group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Central China

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  Morphological and Molecular Data Reveal Two New Cryptic Spider Species of the Pholcus yichengicus Species Group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Central China  Abstract Two new cryptic species from central China, belonging to the Pholcus yichengicus species group, were identified using an integrative approach combining morphological and three molecular species delimitation methods, and incorporating data from five related previously described species. These two new species are named Pholcus chengkou sp. nov. and P. yanan sp. nov. DNA barcodes were generated for the two new species to calculate p-distances and K2P distances, thus confirming their identities alongside the five previously described species. Additionally, revised diagnoses for the five previously described species and a distribution map encompassing all the species discussed are provided. Yan, Mei-Chen, and Zhi-Yuan Yao. 2026. "Morphological and Molecular Data Reveal Two New Cryptic Spider Species of the Pholcus y...

An overview of spider accidents in the Brazilian Amazon

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An overview of spider accidents in the Brazilian Amazon


Background:   Spiders of medical importance in the Amazon region belong to the genera Phoneutria, Loxosceles and Latrodectus. Natural history data show that Phoneutria spp. occur in both periodically flooded forest areas (igapós) and non-flooded areas (terra firme), as well as in commercial plantations in the Amazon. Negative interactions with wandering spiders (Phoneutria spp.) can occur along forest trails, leading to homes, schools and workplaces. Harmful species, such as Loxosceles amazonica and Latrodectus aff. curacaviensis, are mainly associated with accidents in rural settings.

Methods:   To understand the dynamics of spider accidents in the Brazilian Amazon, we conducted a search for scientific articles in five databases (Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus by Elsevier and SciELO). In addition, we analyzed the content of four reference books on the ecological aspects of Amazonian spiders. All told, we identified 64 eligible studies, including six regional surveys published between 1996 and 2016.

Results:   From 2015 to 2022, a total of 25 human lives were lost to spider envenomation in the Brazilian Amazon. An analysis of the data revealed that many riverside families engage in agricultural practices that expose them to venomous animals. Hospital data reveal that most patients bitten by spiders come from impoverished rural communities, which rely on public hospitals of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) for medical treatment. The results indicate that spider bites in the Amazon represent a neglected public health problem, especially in locations far from capital cities.

Conclusion:   Amerindian and non-Amerindian communities living in areas at high risk of venomous animal attacks do not receive adequate attention in health policies. Given the wide dispersion of rural populations vulnerable to venomous animal incidents in the Amazon, the establishment of new referral medical centers is an essential strategy, especially for riverside communities with limited access to health services.

Martins, J.G., Pardal, P.P. de O., Brescovit, A.D., Procópio, R.E. de L., 2025. An overview of spider accidents in the Brazilian Amazon. J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis 31, e20240057.. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-JVATITD-2024-0057