A taxonomic revision of the afrotropical species of Selenops Latreille, 1819 (Araneae, Selenopidae)

The Afrotropical species of the genus Selenops (Araneae, Selenopidae) are revised. Twenty-eight species are recognized and figured. The female of Selenops lumbo Corronca is described for the first time and eleven new species are described: Selenops angolaensis sp. nov. (female only) from Moçâdemes, Angola; S. ansieae sp. nov. (female only) from the Waterberg District, South Africa; S. cristis sp. nov. from Acara, S.W. Coast Africa (Namibia); S. dilamen sp. nov. (female only) from Tabora, Zaïre; S. dilon sp. nov. (female only) from Nelspruit, South Africa; S. feron sp. nov. (female only) from Baviaanspoort, South Africa; S. florenciae sp. nov. (female only) from Vilha Salazar, Angola; S. ilcuria sp. nov. (female only) from Marken, South Africa; S. lucibel sp. nov. from Kalahari; S. saldali sp. nov. (female only) from Achimota, Ghana and S. viron sp. nov. (female only) from Turkana, Kenya. Three species are listed as species inquirendae: S. fugitivus Walckenaer, 1837, S. modestellus Strand, 1907 and S. nanus Strand, 1907. S. ovambicus Lawrence, 1940 is here considered as a valid species. Lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for S. tenebrosus Lawrence, 1940 and S. krugeri Lawrence, 1940. Distribution data are given for all species and new data extend the ranges of some previously known species. A key to all recognized species is provided.Fil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; Argentin

New species of the Madagascan genus Hovops Benoit, 1968 (Araneae: Selenopidae), with a description of the H. madagascariensis male and an identification key

Hovops Benoit is a heterogeneous genus of selenopid spiders represented by six known species endemic to Madagascar. After examining sizeable collections of Selenopidae from the Afrotropical Region especially, from Madagascar, we here propose new diagnostic characters for Hovops and describe three new species: H. betsileo sp. n. (both sexes) from Toamasina Province, H. lidiae sp. n. (both sexes) from Fianarantsoa Province, and H. merina sp. n. (female only) from Antananarivo Province. The male of H. madagascariensis (Vinson) is described for the first time, and new records of this species are also provided. An identification key to the species in this genus is proposed.Hovops Benoit es un género heterogéneo de arañas selenópidas representado hasta la fecha por unas seis especies conocidas y endémicas de Madagascar. Después de revisar una gran cantidad de material de Selenopidae de la región Afrotropical y, en especial de Madagascar, nos permite proponer nuevos caracteres diagnósticos para este género y describir tres nuevas especies para la ciencia: H. betsileo sp. n. (ambos sexos) de la provincia Toamasina, H. lidiae sp. n. (ambos sexos) de la provincia Fianarantsoa y H. merina sp. n. (sólo la hembra) para la provincia Antananarivo. El macho de H. madagascariensis (Vinson) es descripto por primera vez y también se aportan nuevos registros de distribución para esta especie. Se propone una clave para la identificación de las especies del género.Fil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Artigas, Sandra Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta; Argentin

Diversidad alfa y beta de los artrópodos en diferentes ambientes del Parque Nacional Los Cardones, Salta (Argentina).

Alpha and beta arthropods diversity from the different environments of Parque Nacional Los Cardones, Salta, Argentina. The essential role of the National Parks is to protect nature, in order to prevent the deterioration and loss of the ecosystem under protection. Very few records about the diversity of arthropods are known from Los Cardones National Park, where three eco-regions are protected: Puna and Monte eco-regions and the High Andean Grassland of the Yungas. Here, we aimed to compare the alpha and beta diversity of arthro- pods in these eco-regions, and to prove if sites from the same ecoregion, show greater similarity between them in their assemblages, than with sites of the other eco-regions. We also identified arthropod orders with higher species richness, and indicated the families that contribute the most to the registered beta diversity. Three sam- pling sites were established on each eco-region and the arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps and suction samples. We evaluated the obtained inventory through nonparametric estimators of species richness, and com- pared diversity among eco-regions through ?diversity profiles? and ?effective number of species?. Beta diversity was assessed by different methods such as the Morisita Index, nonmetric multidimentional scaling analysis, a multiple permutation procedure, and a Similarity Percentage analysis. We recorded 469 spp/morphospecies and recognized three arthropod orders (spiders, dipterans and hymenopterans) that are diverse and abundant in the Park. Besides, the diversity in Los Cardones National Park was found to be high, but it was observed higher in the High Andean Grassland of the Yungas, and lower in the Puna. The inventory obtained was good, reached up to the 81% of the species richness estimated by nonparametric estimators. Each eco-region of the park showed a very particular arthropod community that was tested by a multi-response permutation procedure. The species turnover between eco-regions was high, so that the different environments of the protected area are contributing to the maintenance of the regional diversity of arthropods in the park. The assemblages of arthropods belonging to the same eco-region sites showed greater similarity among themselves than with those of more distant sites. This represents the first attempt for biodiversity studies in these areas, but more evaluations are required to detail on the possible climate change and human impacts in the ecosystem. Rev. Biol. Trop. 61 (4): 1785-1798. Epub 2013 December 01. Key words: arthropods, alpha diversity, beta diversitFil: Cava, María Belé. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina;Fil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina;Fil: Echeverría, Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina

A new marrellomorph euarthropod from the Early Ordovician of Argentina

Marrellomorphs (class Marrellomorpha) are a group of Paleozoic arthropods with a very poor fossil record. Here we describe a new marrellomorph arthropod Mimetaster florestaensis sp. nov. from the Tremadocian (earliest Ordovician) of Argentina. The new species is characterized by the shape and direction of the three pairs of principal spines, and the existence of strong secondary spines only in the proximal two-thirds of the anterolateral spines. As a result of phylogenetic analysis the new species integrates a trichotomy with Mimetaster hexagonalis and a Moroccan unnamed marrellid as sister groups. This discovery increases the known diversity of Marrellomorpha and represents the first occurrence of this group in South America, expanding the spatial distribution of the clade.Fil: Aris, María Josefina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Consejo de Investigacion; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Consejo de Investigacion; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Quinteros, Andres Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Pardo, Paolo Luciano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Consejo de Investigacion; Argentin

Factors that influence the beta-diversity of spider communities in northwestern Argentinean Grasslands

Beta-diversity, defined as spatial replacement in species composition, is crucial to the understanding of how local communities assemble. These changes can be driven by environmental or geographic factors (such as geographic distance), or a combination of the two. Spiders have been shown to be good indicators of environmental quality. Accordingly, spiders are used in this work as model taxa to establish whether there is a decrease in community similarity that corresponds to geographic distance in the grasslands of the Campos & Malezales ecoregion (Corrientes). Furthermore, the influence of climactic factors and local vegetation heterogeneity (environmental factors) on assemblage composition was evaluated. Finally, this study evaluated whether the differential dispersal capacity of spider families is a factor that influences their community structure at a regional scale. Spiders were collected with a G-Vac from vegetation in six grassland sites in the Campos & Malezales ecoregion that were separated by a minimum of 13 km. With this data, the impact of alpha-diversity and different environmental variables on the beta-diversity of spider communities was analysed. Likewise, the importance of species replacement and nesting on betadiversity and their contribution to the regional diversity of spider families with different dispersion capacities was evaluated. The regional and site-specific inventories obtained were complete. The similarity between spider communities declined as the geographic distance between sites increased. Environmental variables also influenced community composition; stochastic events and abiotic forces were the principal intervening factors in assembly structure. The differential dispersal capacity of spider groups also influenced community structure at a regional scale. The regional beta-diversity, as well as species replacement, was greater in high and intermediate vagility spiders; while nesting was greater in spiders with low dispersion capacity. Geographic distance, among other factors (climate, and active and passive dispersion capacity), explains assembly structure and the decrease spider community similarity between geographically distant sites. Spiders with the highest dispersal capacity showed greater species replacement. This may be due to the discontinuity (both natural and anthropic) of the grasslands in this ecoregion, which limits the dispersal capacity of these spiders, and their close dependence on microhabitats. The dispersal capacity of the least vagile spiders is limited by geographic distance and biotic factors, such as competition, which could explain the nesting observed between their communities.Fil: Rodriguez Artigas, Sandra Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Ballester, Rodrigo. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; Argentin

Composition and structure of Heteroptera communities (Hemiptera) in high altitude habitats of a national protected area in Argentina

Composition and structure of Heteroptera communities (Insecta: Hemiptera) in high altitude habitats of a national protected area in Argentina. One of the basic strategies to protect biodiversity is the establishment of National Parks and other protected areas. Los Cardones National Park (Salta, Argentina) is of great importance because it attempts to preserve a representative sample of Andean biomes above 2700masl, such as Monte Occidental , the Puna-Prepuna and upper reaches of the Yungas. We describe the composition and structure of an inventory of true bugs sampled over a 1-year period in the three ecoregions represented in this protected area. Twenty-nine species of Heteroptera were recorded, including five new records for the Province of Salta. All species are first records to the park. The inventory obtained represents 85.29% of the total estimated by non-parametric estimator (Chao1), with Miridae as the best represented family. The results contribute to knowledge of the Heteroptera of the protected area and provide a basis for comparisons with other studies conducted in other high altitude habitats.Fil: Cava, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Coscaron, Maria del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Differences in Alpha and Beta Diversities of Epigeous Arthropod Assemblages in Two Ecoregions of Northwestern Argentina

Ecoregions are regional-scale biodiversity units. Several of them converge in Salta Province, Argentina, where Puna and Monte are priority conservation areas for different reasons. The aims of our research were to (1) analyze the inventory obtained by determining the alpha and beta diversities of the arthropod communities in the ecoregions; (2) attempt to establish the most likely factors responsible for the distribution patterns of the epigeous communities present in the Monte and Puna take off; and (3) show the main changes in abundance and species richness of the most diverse arthropod groups recorded over space. Pitfall traps were used to collect epigeous arthropods. Several soil variables were measured in the field in addition to climatic variables. The total inventory and data by sites were evaluated using nonparametric estimators. Observed and estimated diversity values were used to compare epigeous arthropod communities between ecoregions. Beta diversity was assessed by different methods. The abundance-based Morisita index was used to investigate the degree of association between ecoregions and sampling sites. We used a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis to show the ordination of the studied sites following the similarity of arthropod assemblages and possible relationships with environmental variables that could explain it. Species richness differed between ecoregions, and the true diversity showed that Puna was 1.30-times more diverse than Monte de Sierras y Bolsones. The inventory completeness was adequate (78%), and differed between sites. Species turnover was high with a clear ecoregional faunal separation. The most diverse arthropods orders were spiders, coleopterans, and hymenopterans, which exhibited differences in abundance and species richness between ecoregions. Different factors of soil heterogeneity and climate, which are important in arid environments, exerted an influence on the assemblages of epigeous arthropods obtained.Fil: González Reyes, Andrea Ximena. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Arroyo, Norma Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentin

Vine mealybugs disrupt biomass allocation in grapevine

Vine mealybug Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an important phloem-feeding pest species in many grapevine producing areas worldwide. The economic damage of P. ficus is thought to be mainly caused by sooty mould on infested grape clusters and transmission of plant viruses. Direct damage caused by mealybug feeding to grapevine plants (Vitis vinifera, L.) has only been vaguely described or otherwise completely discarded. The present study is the first to give an insight into the direct impacts of P. ficus on vegetative growth and biomass dynamics of grapevine plants. In a screenhouse, three-year-old, potted grapevine plants were infested with mealybugs at two different densities, imitating high and low field infestation levels. Mealybug numbers, plant biomass, leaf area, leaf size and leaf number were monitored over six months and compared to a control treatment without mealybugs. High infestation levels reduced leaf and stem biomass by one third, while low levels of P. ficus impacted only stem biomass, indicating a higher sensibility of the perennial parts of the plant or a reallocation of biomass. Leaf area, size and number were not affected by mealybug feeding. In conclusion, grapevine response to P. ficus is gradual and involves different plant parts depending on the severity of the attack. Contrary to previous assumptions, this study demonstrates considerable direct impacts of mealybug feeding on temporal and perennial parts of grapevine plants.Fil: Schulze sylvester, Maria. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Paris, Carolina Ivon. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentin

Cambios en la comunidad de arañas (Arachnida: Araneae) en períodos de barbecho y de cultivos de soja en el norte de Santa Fe, Argentina

El objetivo de este trabajo fue demostrar si existe un patrón de cambio en la comunidad de araña y a nivel de gremios en los ciclos de sucesión barbecho (B)/soja (S) (B1/S1/S2/B2) y observar si los períodos de barbecho sirven como refugio para que la comunidad de arañas se pueda restablecer en períodos de cultivo. El estudio se realizó en la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA-INTA) Reconquista (Santa Fe-Argentina), en lotes que presentaban la misma sucesión de cultivo/barbecho durante 2009/2010. En cada período las arañas fueron recolectadas mediante trampas de caída y aspiradora. Se recolectaron un total 4.439 arañas en 23 familias y 148 especies/morfoespecies. El cultivo de soja presentó la mayor abundancia de arañas (B1= 512; S1= 1,289; S2= 1,363; B2= 1,275) y riqueza de especies (B1=79, S1=92, S2=89; B2=80) que los períodos de barbecho. La abundancia/trampa mostró diferencias significativas entre los períodos de barbecho (B1-B2) y la riqueza de especies/trampa entre B1-S1 y B1-B2. Los valores de disimilitud mostraron una disminución desde B1 hacia B2 donde las familias Lycosidae, Araneidae, Linyphiidae, Philodromidae, Pisauridae y Tetragnathidae contribuyen en alta proporción (superior 37%). Siete gremios estuvieron presentes (Cazadoras deambuladoras, Cazadoras corredoras sobre el suelo, Tejedoras de telas orbiculares, Otras cazadoras, Tejedoras de telas en sábanas, Tejedoras de telas espaciales y Especialistas) mostrando diferencia significativas en diversos momentos del período estudiado. Este trabajo demuestra que períodos de descanso del cultivo constituye una adecuada herramienta de rotación para tener presente al momento de implementar estrategias de manejo en cultivos de soja.The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether there is a pattern of change in the community and guilds of spider in a succession of fallow and soybean crops (B1/S1/S2/B2). Also, to analyze whether fallow periods would serve as a refuge for the community of spiders and their recovery during cropping periods. The study was carry out in the Research Station of INTA Reconquista, (Santa Fe-Argentina), underfield conditions with similar succession crop/fallow during 2009/2010.In each period, spiders were collected using pitfall-traps and suction samples. We recorded 4439 spiders from 23 family and 148spp/morphospecies. The highest abundance of spiders (B1= 512; S1= 1289; S2= 1363; B2= 1275) and richness of species (B1=79, S1=92, S2=89; B2=80) were found during the cropperiods compared to fallow periods. The abundance per tramps showed significant differences between fallows periods (B1-B2). Richness of species per tramp was also significant among B1-S1 and B1-B2.Dissimilarity values showed a decrease from B1 to B2 where families Lycosidae, Araneidae, Linyphiidae, Philodromidae, Pisauridae and Tetragnathidae had the highest proportion (upper 37%). Seven guilds were found (Ambush hunters, Ground hunters, Orb web weavers, Other hunters, Sheet web weavers, Space web weavers and Specialists) and showed abundance significant differences in different moments between periods. This work demonstrates that resting periods constitute an appropriate crop rotation tool to keep in mind when implementing management strategies in soybean crops.EEA ReconquistaFil: Almada, Melina Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Reconquista; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Alda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto para el Estudio de la Biodiversidad de Invertebrados; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Description of epigean arthropods in two environments Talampaya National Park, La Rioja, Argentina

Este proyecto estudia la biodiversidad y la composición de los artrópodos epigeos en dos ambientes aparentemente diferentes en cuanto a estructura y composición de la vegetación en el Parque Nacional Talampaya, La Rioja, Argentina. Los hábitat fueron designados como: "Sitio A" (pobre en materia orgánica con escaso desarrollo y estructura del suelo); y el "Sitio B" (con suelo estructurado con mayor riqueza florística). La diversidad fue considerada usando trampas de caída que proveen buena información sobre la diversidad de los artrópodos epigeos. Veinte trampas de caída fueron colocadas en cada sitio de acuerdo con el siguiente diseño: 4 trampas dispuestas en 5 filas, separadas cada trampa por 5 metros, considerando esta distancia entre las filas y las trampas. Las trampas fueron llenadas con una solución de agua y gotas de detergente, y estuvieron activas durante 2 días en cada estación a lo largo de un año, siendo revisadas tres veces al día: entre las 8:00-10:00AM; 2:00-4:00PM y 6:00-8:00PM. Los análisis estadísticos fueron realizados por medio del software InfoStat 2004. Dos mil trescientos ochenta y cinco artrópodos fueron colectados en el Parque Nacional Talampaya, correspondiente a 15 órdenes. Ambos sitios estudiados fueron diferentes en la composición de artrópodos epigeos en cuanto a la diversidad, posiblemente relacionado con la variación en la estructura de la vegetación y en la composición del suelo de cada sitio. De acuerdo con ello, ambos hábitats son importantes conservar en el Parque Nacional Talampaya, La Rioja (Argentina), debido a que ellos son complementarios en fauna.This Project studies the biodiversity composition of epigean artrhropods in two habitats of the Talampaya, National Park, La Rioja,Argentina. The two studied habitats are different in the composition and vegetational structure. The habitats were designed as follow: “Site A”: poor in organic matter with scare development and structure of the soil; “Site B”: is structured soil with more floristic richness. The diversity of the epigean arthropods was considered using pit-fall trapping that gives good information about diversity of the epigean arthropods. Twenty pit-fall traps were put on each site according with the follow design: 4 traps arranged into 5 rows, separated each trap by 5 meters considering this distance between the rows and the traps. The traps were filled with a water solution with drops of detergent. The traps were active during 2 days on each season during one year, and revised three times by day: between 8:00-10:00AM; 2:00-4:00PM and 6:00-8:00PM. The statistical analysis was carried out using the software InfoStat 2004. Two thousand three hundred and eighty five epigean arthropods of 15 orders were collected at the Talampaya National Park. Both studied sites were different in the epigean arthropod composition community in species diversity, maybe this will be relationship with the variation of the vegetation structure and the soil composition of each sites. According with them, both habitats are important to conserve in theTalampaya National Park, La Rioja (Argentina), because the have a complementary fauna.Fil: Peñaloza, O. A.. Universidad Nacional de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Corronca, Jose Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Balzarini, Monica Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Desarrollo Rural; Argentin