Loxoscelesadelaida(ARANEAE, SICARIIDAE) IN THE TOURISTIC PARK OF RIBEIRA VALLEY, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Andrade, R.M.G.(1), Pretel, F.D. (1), Galati, E.A.B. (2), TambourgI, D.V. (1)

(1)Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Instituto Butantan and (2) Departmento de Epidemiologia, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Studies about the effect of venoms from sinanthropic Loxosceles spiders’ species are frequently reported, however, analysis from those living in natural environment has not been performed. Loxosceles are present in several different habitats, including the carstic environment, being in Brazil the most common troglophile arachnid. Frequently, they are found in the walls of the entrance of the cave as well as in the shade zone where rocks and a bit of light are present. These characteristics of the milieu favor the reduction of the humidity and so, the presence of the troglophile fauna. Caves are attracting the attention of a large number of tourists. The "Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira", Ribeira Valley, SP, represents an important touristic and scientific research area due to the association between the tropical forest and the caves system. To characterize the venoms of wild species of Loxosceles and compare them to those of sinanthropic species, we are conducting explorations into the interior of the caves from the Speleological Province of the Ribeira Valley in order to capture, identify, breed and analyze the venom of these spiders. The first exploitation was performed in the caves: “Morro Preto” and its neighborhood, “Alambari de Baixo” and “Laboratório I”. Loxosceles spiders captured until now, in these areas, were identified by morphological analysis as Loxosceles adelaida. This species is being currently kept and bred in the “Laboratório de Imunoquímica, Instituto Butantan” for venom, taxonomic and ecological studies.

Supported by FAPESP, CAPES and CAT

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

Fernando Delgado Pretel, Rua Claudionor Alves Bastos, 206, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05594-130, Email: fpretel@ig.com.br