Venomics of the six-eyed sand spider, Sicarius rugosus (Araneae: Sicariidae), from the neotropical dry forest of Costa Rica

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  Venomics of the six-eyed sand spider, Sicarius rugosus (Araneae: Sicariidae), from the neotropical dry forest of Costa Rica Abstract Background Sicarius rugosus , the only member of the genus that inhabits Central America, is phylogenetically related to South American  Sicarius  spiders. These originated from a common ancestor with sister African species. Like  Loxosceles ,  Sicarius  exhibits venom phospholipase D activity due to a group of toxins known collectively as SicTox. Methods A gel-assisted, bottom-up, proteomic analysis was performed to characterize the venom composition of  S. rugosus . Hyaluronidase activity was determined using zymography. Results We identified several SicTox sequences, all classified as β-clade paralogs and sharing unique peptides with proteins from  S. patagonicus ,  S. peruensis,  and other species. Enzymes such as metalloproteinases, including putative astacins, carboxypeptidases, and angiotensin-conv...

On the genus Catumiri Guadanucci, 2004 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Chile, with description of a new species

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On the genus Catumiri Guadanucci, 2004 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in Chile, with description of a new species

Abstract
A new species of tarantula, belonging to the genus Catumiri from Chile is described. Catumiri almonacidae sp. nov. presents unique characteristics in the male palpal bulb and tibial apophysis, and the female spermathecae. It is distributed in the south centre of Chile, between 33.5° S and 35.4° S latitude. This species is commonly known in Chile informally as the Mahogany Dwarf Tarantula. The new species is diagnosed, described and illustrated. Comments on the natural history and a distribution map of the genus are presented.

Montenegro, Rubén & Aguilera, Milenko. (2025). ON THE GENUS CATUMIRI GUADANUCCI, 2004 (ARANEAE: THERAPHOSIDAE) IN CHILE, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES. 47. 82-86.