RESUMO
Three new species of the six-eyed haplogyne and ecribellate spiders from the genus Ochyrocera Simon, 1891 are illustrated and described based on males and females from southeastern Brazil: Ochyrocera tinocoi new species (Sooretama, Espírito Santo state), Ochyrocera garayae new species (Linhares and Sooretama, Espírito Santo state) and Ochyrocera itatinga new species (Rio de Janeiro city, Rio de Janeiro state). The new species expand the distribution range of Ochyrocera in Brazil and increase to 50 the total number of species described, from which hitherto 33 species occur in South America, acknowledging the high diversity of the genus for the region.
Assuntos
Aranhas , Distribuição Animal , Animais , Brasil , Feminino , MasculinoRESUMO
The scorpion-tailed orb-weaving spiders in the genus Arachnura Vinson, 1863 (Araneidae Clerck, 1757) are revised for Australia and New Zealand. Arachnura higginsii (L. Koch, 1872) only occurs in Australia and A. feredayi (L. Koch, 1872) only in New Zealand. A single female collected in south-eastern Queensland (Australia) is here tentatively identified as A. melanura Simon, 1867, but it is doubtful that this species has established in Australia. Two juveniles from northern Queensland do not conform to the diagnoses of any of the above species and are illustrated pending a more thorough revision of the genus in South-East Asia and the Pacific region. An unidentified female from Westport (New Zealand) does not conform to the diagnoses of A. feredayi and A. higginsii, but is not described due to its poor preservation status. Arachnura caudatella Roewer, 1942 (replacement name for Epeira caudata Bradley, 1876), originally described from Hall Sound (Papua New Guinea) and repeatedly catalogued for Australia, is considered a nomen dubium.
Assuntos
Aranhas , Animais , Austrália , Feminino , Nova ZelândiaRESUMO
Four new species of the orb-weaving spider genus Alpaida O. P.-Cambridge, 1889 from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil are illustrated and described based on males and females from the following municipalities: Alpaida imperatrix new species (Macaé and Rio de Janeiro); Alpaida imperialis new species (Mendes and Rio de Janeiro); Alpaida marista new species (Mendes and Pinheiral); and Alpaida mendensis new species (Mendes). Furthermore, two new synonymies are herein proposed: Alpaida lanei Levi, 1988 = Alpaida atomaria (Simon, 1895) and Alpaida caxias Levi, 1988 = Alpaida tijuca Levi, 1988, alongside new records for both species and also Alpaida venger Castanheira Baptista, 2015.
Assuntos
Aranhas , Distribuição Animal , Estruturas Animais , Animais , Brasil , Besouros , Feminino , MasculinoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: There has never been any published work about the diversity of spiders in the city of Rio de Janeiro using analytical tools to measure diversity. The only available records for spider communities in nearby areas indicate 308 species in the National Park of Tijuca and 159 species in Marapendi Municipal Park. These numbers are based on a rapid survey and on an one-year survey respectively. NEW INFORMATION: This study provides a more thorough understanding of how the spider species are distributed at Pedra Branca State Park. We report a total of 14,626 spider specimens recorded from this park, representing 49 families and 373 species or morphospecies, including at least 73 undescribed species. Also, the distribution range of 45 species was expanded, and species accumulation curves estimate that there is a minimum of 388 (Bootstrap) and a maximum of 468 species (Jackknife2) for the sampled areas. These estimates indicates that the spider diversity may be higher than observed.
RESUMO
Alpaida venger sp. nov. is described based on males and females from Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This species seems to be related to Alpaida scriba (Mello-Leitão, 1940) and Alpaida alticeps (Keyserling, 1879) due to similar body shape and color, but is easily distinguished by the very elongated median apophysis, the massive lobe of tegulum and the hooked paracymbium of male palp. Females have elongated epigyne as A. scriba, but can be distinguished by the wider lips and shorter scape.(AU)
Alpaida venger sp. nov. é descrita baseada em machos e fêmeas do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Esta espécie parece relacionada a Alpaida scriba (Mello-Leitão, 1940) e Alpaida alticeps (Keyserling, 1879) devido a similaridades no formato e cor do corpo, mas é facilmente distinguida pela apófise média muito alongada, ao particular lobo do tégulo e ao paracímbio em forma de gancho do palpo do macho. Fêmeas apresentam epígino alongado como A. scriba, mas podem ser diferenciadas pelos lábios mais largos e escapo mais curto.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Aranhas/anatomia & histologia , Aranhas/classificação , Microscopia/veterináriaRESUMO
Alpaida venger sp. nov. is described based on males and females from Pedra Branca State Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This species seems to be related to Alpaida scriba (Mello-Leitão, 1940) and Alpaida alticeps (Keyserling, 1879) due to similar body shape and color, but is easily distinguished by the very elongated median apophysis, the massive lobe of tegulum and the hooked paracymbium of male palp. Females have elongated epigyne as A. scriba, but can be distinguished by the wider lips and shorter scape.
Alpaida venger sp. nov. é descrita baseada em machos e fêmeas do Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Esta espécie parece relacionada a Alpaida scriba (Mello-Leitão, 1940) e Alpaida alticeps (Keyserling, 1879) devido a similaridades no formato e cor do corpo, mas é facilmente distinguida pela apófise média muito alongada, ao particular lobo do tégulo e ao paracímbio em forma de gancho do palpo do macho. Fêmeas apresentam epígino alongado como A. scriba, mas podem ser diferenciadas pelos lábios mais largos e escapo mais curto.
Assuntos
Animais , Aranhas/anatomia & histologia , Aranhas/classificação , Microscopia/veterináriaRESUMO
Typical aspartic proteinases from plants of the Astereaceae family like cardosins and cyprosins are well-known milk-clotting enzymes. Their effectiveness in cheesemaking has encouraged several studies on other Astereaceae plant species for identification of new vegetable rennets. Here we report on the cloning, expression and characterization of a novel aspartic proteinase precursor from the flowers of Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. The isolated cDNA encoded a protein product with 509 amino acids, termed cirsin, with the characteristic primary structure organization of plant typical aspartic proteinases. The pro form of cirsin was expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to be active without autocatalytically cleaving its pro domain. This contrasts with the acid-triggered autoactivation by pro-segment removal described for several recombinant plant typical aspartic proteinases. Recombinant procirsin displayed all typical proteolytic features of aspartic proteinases as optimum acidic pH, inhibition by pepstatin, cleavage between hydrophobic amino acids and strict dependence on two catalytic Asp residues for activity. Procirsin also displayed a high specificity towards κ-casein and milk-clotting activity, suggesting it might be an effective vegetable rennet. The findings herein described provide additional evidences for the existence of different structural arrangements among plant typical aspartic proteinases.