Meeting the southern brothers: a revision of the Neotropical spider genus Hexapopha Platnick, Berniker & Vquez, 2014 (Araneae, Oonopidae).

The goblin spider genus Hexapopha Platnick, Berniker & Vquez, 2014 is revised. The four Costa Rican species recognized in the original description of the genus are re-diagnosed: H. reimoseri (Fage, 1938) (the type species), H. hone Platnick, Berniker & Vquez, 2014, H. osa Platnick, Berniker & Vquez, 2014 and H. jimenez Platnick, Berniker & Vquez, 2014. Two species recently transferred from Gamasomorpha Karsch, 1881 are redescribed: H. brasiliana (Bristowe, 1938), from southern Brazil, of which the male is described for the first time, and H. m-scripta (Birabn, 1954), from Argentina. Thirty-five new species are described from South America, elevating the total number of species to forty-one. Thirty three species are described from Brazil: H. una (, ), H. brescoviti (), H. peba (,), H. harveyi (,), H. fannesi (), H. erebai (), H. periclitata (,), H. delta (), H. tallitae (,), H. platnicki (,), H. santosi (,), H. rheimsae (), H. wangi (,), H. ruizi (), H. itabaiana (), H. ramirezi (), H. depleta (), H. gunma (), H. corniculata (,), H. egua (), H. izquierdoi (,), H. numerosa (,), H. baehrae (,), H. excavata (,), H. ubicki (,), H. quadraginta (,), H. ilhoa (,), H. marajoara (,), H. kropfi (,), H. caboquinho (), H. grismadoi (), H. manauara (,) and H. pantaneira (,). Two additional new species, H. pithecia (,) from Peru and H. sorkini (,) from Venezuela are also described. Species of Hexapopha are restricted to the Neotropical region, from Costa Rica to Northern Argentina. Brazil, where 85% of the species occur, harbors the highest species richness. A key and distribution maps are provided for all species.

Ticks, mites, fleas, and vector-borne pathogens in free-ranging neotropical wild felids from southern Brazil.

The study of vectors and vector-borne diseases associated with ectoparasites from free-living Neotropical small wild felids is scarce, and the few existing studies on this theme focused on the genus Panthera, Paleartic species or in captive animals. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the diversity of ectoparasites and potentially associated Rickettsia and Bartonella species in free-ranging neotropical wild cats collected in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. A total of 82 ticks, 10 fleas and 22 mites were collected from 18 Geoffroy's cats (Leopardus geoffroyi), 11 margays (Leopardus wiedii), two southern tiger cats (Leopardus guttulus), two jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), three ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and two pumas (Puma concolor). We identified four tick species: Rhipicephalus microplus and three species from genus Amblyomma, the most frequent being Amblyomma aureolatum; three flea species corresponding to Ctenocephalides felis, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Pulex irritans; and one mite of genus Eutrombicula. In ectoparasites we found DNA of Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia asembonensis in ticks and DNA of Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella sp. and R. asembonensis in fleas. Our results highlight the evidences of vectors and vector-borne agents in wild animals, and their potential wide distribution in the Pampa biome and the southernmost portion of the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil.

Three new species of Camillina Berland, 1919 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) from Brazil.

The genus Camillina Berland, 1919 includes 75 valid species which are mainly distributed in South America. However, in Brazil, the knowledge regarding Camillina remains limited and a few contributions to the taxonomy of the genus have been made in the last two decades. Camillina belongs to Zelotinae, a group of gnaphosid spiders which diagnostic character is a preening comb on metatarsi III and IV, and the genus can be recognized by the presence of a prolaterally situated, bifid terminal apophysis and medially situated, recessed embolar base on the male palp and a median epigynal plate. Here, we describe the males and females of three new species: C. suya sp. nov. and C. kuarup sp. nov., both from Fazenda Tanguro, Querência, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil and C. bonaldoi sp. nov. from Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, Piracuruca, state of Piauí, Brazil.

Detection of Bartonella sp. and a novel spotted fever group Rickettsia sp. in Neotropical fleas of wild rodents (Cricetidae) from Southern Brazil.

The Neotropical region shows a great diversity of fleas, comprising more than 50 genera. The importance of the study of fleas is linked to their potential role as disease vectors. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. in Neotropical fleas collected from wild rodents in Southern Brazil. From 350 rodents captured, 30 were parasitized by fleas. A total of 61 fleas belonging to two genera and six different species were collected (Craneopsylla minerva minerva, Polygenis occidentalis occidentalis, Polygenis platensis, Polygenis pradoi, Polygenis rimatus, and Polygenis roberti roberti). In 13 % of fleas of three different species (C. minerva, P. platensis, and P. pradoi) Rickettsia sp. DNA was found. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated sequences of gltA, htrA, and ompA genes showed that Rickettsia sp. found in rodent fleas (referred as strain Taim) grouped together with Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia. In reference to Bartonella spp., five genotypes were identified in seven fleas of two species (C. minerva and P. platensis) and in five rodent spleens. Also, 207 frozen samples of wild rodents were screened for these pathogens: while none was positive for Rickettsia spp.; five rodent spleens were PCR-positive for Bartonella spp.. Herein, we show the detection of potential novel variants of Bartonella sp. and Rickettsia sp. in fleas collected of wild rodents from Southern Brazil. Further studies are needed to fully characterize these microorganisms, as well as to improve the knowledge on the potential role of Neotropical flea species as diseases vectors.

Three new species of the millipede genus Catharosoma Silvestri, 1897 from southern Brazil, with new records and a clarified identity of Catharosoma intermedium (Carl, 1902) (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae).

Three new species of Catharosoma are described from southern Brazil: Catharosoma pedritense n. sp., Catharosoma promatense n. sp., and Catharosoma ibirapuitense n. sp.. New records of three other Catharosoma species, which considerably extend their distributions, are provided, including a redescription of the hitherto particularly poorly-known species Catharosoma intermedium (Carl, 1902).

A revision of the new world goblin spider genus Cinetomorpha Simon, 1892 revalidated from Gamasomorpha Karsch, 1881 (Araneae, Oonopidae, Oonopinae).

The goblin spider genus Cinetomorpha Simon is removed from the synonymy of Gamasomorpha Karsch and treated as the senior synonym of Yumates Chamberlin and Lucetia Dumitresco Georgesco. All 41 species occur only in the New World, and the genus is divided into four species groups: the simplex group, the puberula group, the patquiana group and the itabaiana group. The following species are transferred to Cinetomorpha: C. floridana (Banks), comb. nov., and C. sedata (Gertsch Mulaik), comb. nov., from Opopaea; C. angela (Chamberlin), comb. nov., and C. nesophila (Chamberlin), comb. nov., from Yumates; and C. patquiana (Birabén) and C. platensis (Birabén), comb. nov., from Gamasomorpha. Gamasomorpha wasmanniae Mello-Leitão and Lucetia distincta Dumitresco Georgesco are newly synonymized with C. simplex Simon. Two species currently in Gamasomorpha are transferred to Hexapopha Platnick Berniker: H. brasiliana (Bristowe), comb. nov. and H. m-scripta (Birabén), comb. nov. The following 31 species are newly described: C. adaga Ott Bonaldo (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru); C. atlantica Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. baja Ott Ubick (Mexico); C. bandolera Ott Harvey (Mexico USA); C. boraceia Ott Brescovit (Argentina and Brazil); C. campana Ott Harvey (Chile); C. central Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. chicote Ott Bonaldo (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru); C. concepcion Ott Harvey (Chile); C. iguazu Ott Brescovit (Argentina and Brazil); C. itabaiana Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. laguna Ott Ubick (Mexico); C. lavras Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. longisetosa Ott Harvey (Costa Rica and Brazil); C. lorenzo Ott Harvey (Guatemala); C. loreto Ott Bonaldo (Peru); C. nayarit Ott Harvey (Mexico); C. orellana Ott Bonaldo (Ecuador); C. pauferro Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. peluda Ott Harvey (Chile); C. pinheiral Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. pocone Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. punctata Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. quillota Ott Harvey (Chile); C. rinconada Ott Harvey (Chile); C. santamaria Ott Brescovit (Argentina); C. similis Ott Brescovit (Brazil); C. sternalis Ott Bonaldo (Brazil); C. sur Ott Ubick (Mexico); C. waorani Ott Bonaldo (Ecuador); and C. zero Ott Harvey (Mexico to Venezuela).

Two new species of the sun-spider genus Gaucha from Argentina and Brazil (Solifugae, Mummuciidae).

Two new species in the South American sun-spider family Mummuciidae are herein described. Gaucha ramirezi sp. nov. is known from the Chancaní Provincial Park and Forest Reserve, Córdoba province, Argentina, and further reported for a single locality to the northeast, in Santiago del Estero province. The systematic position of this species is uncertain and it is not assigned to any species-group of Gaucha Mello-Leitão, 1924. The other species, Gaucha santana sp. nov., is only known from the Ibirapuitã Environmental Protection Area, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, and is a member of the fasciata species-group. With these descriptions, the number of known species of Gaucha is raised to eleven.

Molecular survey of Rickettsia spp. in the Neotropical deer tick Haemaphysalis juxtakochi from Brazilian Pampa.

Spotted fever (SF) is a tick-borne disease associated with Rickettsia spp.. In the Pampa biome, Southern Brazil, cases of SF seem to be strongly linked with the practice of hunting wild animals. An investigation of rickettsiae in tick species found on wild animals could provide more information regarding the rickettsiosis enzootic cycle. The aim of this study is to describe the results of a molecular survey of Rickettsia spp. in the Neotropical deer tick, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley, 1946 (Acari: Ixodidae), from the Brazilian Pampa. Ticks were obtained from 14 road-killed gray brocket deer, Mazama gouazoubira (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), found in nine different municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul state, Southern Brazil. Ticks were processed individually to obtain genomic DNA, and then Rickettsia spp. was investigated using a set of PCR reactions that amplified the rickettsial fragments of the gltA, ompA, and htrA genes. Of the 24 tick samples tested, DNA of Rickettsia parkeri sensu stricto (s.s.) was found in 11 H. juxtakochi specimens collected in two different areas of the Brazilian Pampa. This is the first report of R. parkeri s.s. (the main agent associated with SF in the Uruguayan, Argentinian, and Brazilian Pampa) in H. juxtakochi ticks. These findings indicate that R. parkeri s.s. may be much more common and widely distributed in the Pampa biome than previously assumed. Moreover, H. juxtakochi ticks and gray brocket deer could participate in the potential spillover of R. parkeri s.s. from endemic to non-endemic areas in the South American Pampa.

Records of ticks on humans in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil.

More than seventy tick species have been reported in Brazil. Despite the emergence of tick-borne diseases in Neotropical region, there are still limited data available on tick species parasitizing humans in Brazil. Rio Grande do Sul is the southernmost state of Brazil, comprising the only part of Brazilian territory inside the Pampa biome, as well as the transition between subtropical and temperate zones. Here, we report on human parasitism by ticks in Rio Grande do Sul state between 2004 and 2017. Seventy cases of human parasitism by ticks were recorded, with a total of 81 tick specimens collected. These included 11 tick species belonging to three genera of Ixodidae (hard-ticks), Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus; and one genus of Argasidae, Ornithodoros. The most prevalent tick species associated to cases of human parasitism were Amblyomma parkeri (24%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (22%), Amblyomma aureolatum (15%) and Amblyomma ovale (12%). A spatial analysis showed two major hot spots of human parasitism by ticks in Rio Grande do Sul state. The findings of this study highlight the need for permanent monitoring of human parasitism by ticks in order to provide a better understanding of tick and tick-borne disease eco-epidemiology, and the early identification of potential cases of tick-borne diseases, particularly in spotted fever endemic regions.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes longiscutatus ticks from Brazilian Pampa.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex includes the agents of Lyme disease/borreliosis in North America, Europe, and Asia, such Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia bavariensis, Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia bissettiae, and Borrelia mayonii. In 2013 B. burgdorferi s.l. was reported for the first time in the Neotropical region, from Ixodes aragaoi ticks in Uruguayan Pampa. In addition, from 2011 to 2016, 17 suspected human cases of borreliosis-like syndrome were reported in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, which contains only part of country in the Pampa biome. The goal of this work is to report the results of a state surveillance program conducted in order to investigate the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in its classic vector, Ixodes spp. ticks, from the Brazilian Pampa. For this, we searched for Ixodes spp. ticks in 307 rodents from 11 municipalities of RS state. We then tested the ticks for the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. DNA using PCR analysis. Of 35 Ixodes spp. ticks tested, one larva and one nymph of Ixodes longiscutatus ticks tested positive for Borrelia sp. DNA. The phylogenetic analysis of the flaB fragment grouped our samples (referred as Borrelia sp. haplotype Pampa) into B. burgdorferi s.l. group in a particular branch with other South American haplotypes, and this group was close to Borrelia carolinensis, B. bissettiae, and Borrelia californiensis. This is the first evidence of B. burgdorferi s.l. circulation in ticks of the genus Ixodes in Brazil. These results highlight the need for the implementation of public health policies for the diagnosis and prevention of potential cases of human borreliosis in Brazil. Further studies are needed to fill the gaps in our knowledge of the distribution, pathogenicity, reservoirs, and vectors of these emerging South American B. burgdorferi s.l. haplotypes.

DETECTION OF BARTONELLA SP. IN DEER LOUSE FLIES (LIPOPTENA MAZAMAE) ON GRAY BROCKET DEER (MAZAMA GOUAZOUBIRA) IN THE NEOTROPICS.

Louse flies or deer keds, Lipoptena spp., are widespread in Neotropical cervids, but the vector-borne pathogens of louse flies had only been previously reported in the Northern hemisphere. This is the first report of Bartonella spp. in deer louse flies (Lipoptena mazamae) in the neotropics collected from gray brocket deer ( Mazama gouazoubira ) in Southern Brazil. DNA from Bartonella sp. was detected in all 429 L. mazamae collected from 11 road-killed gray brocket deer. The same sequences of DNA of Bartonella spp. were identified in samples. Gray brocket deer are abundant in Brazil, so Bartonella-infected Lipoptena spp. may be widely distributed in the neotropics.

Two new species of orb-weaving spiders of the genus Larinia (Araneae, Araneidae) in meridional Brazil.

The araneid genus Larinia Simon currently includes 56 species, eleven of them with New World distribution (World Spider Catalog, 2016). North American species of the genus were revised first time by Levi (1975) and South American species by Harrod et al. (1991). According to these authors there are four species known from subtropical South America (Larinia bivittata Keyserling 1885; L. montecarlo (Levi, 1988); L. t-notata (Tullgren, 1905); L. tucuman Harrod, Levi & Leibensperger, 1991) and also four species known from tropical South America (L. ambo Harrod, Levi & Leibensperger, 1991; L. directa (Hentz, 1847); L. lampa Harrod, Levi & Leibensperger, 1991; L. neblina Harrod, Levi & Leibensperger, 1991). According to Buckup et al. (2010) a total of 209 species of Araneidae are recorded for state of Rio Grande do Sul, including the three species L. bivittata, L. montecarlo and L. t-notata.

Amazoonops, a new genus of goblin spiders (Araneae: Oonopidae) from the Brazilian Amazon.

The new genus Amazoonops is proposed for a group of species from the Brazilian Amazon that belong to the Varioonops group, which is presently composed by Varioonops Bolzern & Platnick, Ponsoonops Bolzern and Bipoonops Bolzern. In these genera, female lacks the dorsal abdominal scutum, have a reduced abdominal post-epigastric scutum, and the male palp has unfused cymbium and tegulum. The incomplete abdominal epigastric scutum of females and the sternal surface covered with deep pits in both sexes are considered as putative synapomorphies of the new genus. Five new species are described, four from the state of Pará (Amazoonops almeirim sp. nov., A. cachimbo sp. nov., A. caxiuana sp. nov. and A. juruti sp. nov.) and one from the state of Amazonas (A. ducke sp. nov.). Females of A. almeirim sp. nov. and A. ducke sp. nov. are unknown.

A taxonomic revision of the ground spiders of the genus Apopyllus (Araneae: Gnaphosidae).

The American gnaphosid genus Apopyllus Platnick & Shadab is found from southern Mexico to southern Argentina. It can be diagnosed by the complex shape of the RTA, by the membranous tegular extension, the long coiled embolus, the retrolateral incision on the cymbium, the long convoluted copulatory duct extending anteriorly to the copulatory openings and by the presence of paramedian epigynal pockets and of an anterior ridge on the epigynum. The RTA characters are important in species taxonomy but the complex shape and variation of the RTA hampers identification, especially regarding the two most common species: A. suavis (Simon) and A. silvestrii (Simon). In this paper the genus is revised, the genital morphology is described, and homology between its components and those of other genera is discussed. Apopyllus suavis is considered a senior synonym of Apopyllus pauper (Mello-Leitão) and A. iheringi (Mello-Leitão). Four new species are described from Brazil: A. aeolicus, A. atlanticus, A. centralis and A. gandarela.

A new species of the genus Apollophanes O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1898 (Araneae: Philodromidae) with the first record to the Atlantic rainforest.

Apollophanes has a wide distribution, with some species in Asia and most of the species recorded from North and Central America (World Spider Catalog 2016). New species described from the Galapagos Islands by Baert (2013) have extended the genus range to South America. According to Dondale and Redner (1975) and Dondale and Redner (1978), the species of Apollophanes have a moderately low prosoma, usually of yellow to orange-brown color and with black or brown spots on the lateral margins. The posterior eyes distances are equally spaced and the legs are long, slender and speckled with dark spots, with leg I usually being longer than IV (characteristic observed only in the male exemplar of the new species). The opisthosoma has a conspicuous heart mark, dark longitudinal spots on the lateral margins and a pale ventral region with purple spots. According to Dondale and Redner (1975) and Logunov (1996), Apollophanes shares some features with species of Cleocnemis, Thanatus and Tibellus, e.g. the shape and coloration patterns of the dorsal shield of the prosoma, as well as the slender legs with dark spots. Apollophanes can be distinguished from Cleocnemis by the presence of two tibial apophyses (ventral and retrolateral) and by the size of the copulatory ducts openings that are long slits that reach the posterior margin of epigastric furrow in Apollophanes, while in Cleocnemis the openings are shorter and situated in central region of the median septum (Dondale & Redner 1975). Apollophanes differs from Thanatus by the presence of macrosetae on the prolateral region of the metatarsus, and differs from Tibellus by the size of leg IV, that is longer than leg I (Dondale & Redner 1975).

On the spider genus Neonella (Araneae: Salticidae): new records and taxonomic notes for species from southern South America.

The genus Neonella Gertsch, 1936 contains 12 species with an exclusive New World distribution (World Spider Catalog 2015). The genus was proposed by Gertsch (1936) to include N. vinnula Gertsch, 1936 from Florida and Texas, USA. Remaining species were added by Galiano (1965, 1988, 1998) and, more recently, Edwards (2003), Ruiz & Brescovit (2004), and Ruiz et al. (2007).

Abundância e sazonalidade do ácaro-rajado em cultivares de gérbera / Abundance and seasonality of two-spotted spider mite on gerbera cultivars

Neste estudo foi avaliada a abundância e a sazonalidade de Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 em três cultivares de Gerbera jamesonii Adlam., em cultivo comercial no sul do Brasil. Para avaliação destes parâmetros foram realizadas amostragens de abril de 2011 a fevereiro de 2012. Os ácaros foram obtidos a partir de flores e folhas retiradas de cada uma das cultivares. No total foram contabilizados 10.640 ácaros e de acordo com os testes, a cultivar "Pink Snow" apresentou maior abundância significativa. A análise estatística não evidenciou diferença entre o número de ácaros presentes nas folhas e flores. Em todas as variedades o maior número de T. urticae foi registrado na primavera.

In this study it was evaluated the abundance and seasonality of Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 in three varieties of Gerbera jamesonii Adlam. in a commercial cultivation at the south of Brazil. For the evaluation of these parameters samplings were accomplished from April 2011 to February 2012. The mites were obtained from flowers and leaves removed from each one of the studied varieties. A total of 10,640 mites were counted, and in agreement with the tests, there were a significant larger number of mites in the "Pink Snow" variety. The statistical analysis didn't evidence conclusive differences in the mite numbers between leaves and flowers. In all three varieties the largest number of T. urticae was registered in the spring.

Carabid beetle assemblages in three environments in the Araucaria humid forest of southern Brazil

Carabid beetle assemblages in three environments in the Araucaria humid forest of southern Brazil. Carabidae is composed mainly by ground-dwelling predator beetles. It is the fourth most diverse group within Coleoptera, but its diversity in the Neotropical region is understudied. Here we describe and analyze the diversity of carabid beetles in a region of subtropical rain forest dominated by Araucaria angustifolia with different landscapes. Three areas were chosen in an environmental integrity gradient: primary forests, secondary forests and old Pinus plantations. Pitfall traps were taken monthly, in a total of 14 samples per area. 1733 adult carabid beetles, belonging to 18 species, were sampled. There were differences in richness and abundance between the sampled areas. The total scores followed the same tendency: primary forests (14 species/747 individuals), secondary forests (13/631) and Pinus forests (10/355). An analysis of similarity shows differences in species composition, for both areas and seasons. Galerita lacordarei was the most abundant species for all samples and seasons. Carabid species show similar responses in accordance with habitat heterogeneity and disturbance. The abundance of Galerita lacordarei was influenced by temperature, for all sampled sites. Environmental changes affect the carabid assemblages and decrease diversity, possibly interfering in local dynamics. Seasonality patterns seem to indicate an increase in individual movement during summer, probably in search of resources. It is suggested that microhabitat patchiness is probably an important factor affecting carabid beetle diversity at small spatial scales.

Aranhas e ácaros predadores em copas de tangerineiras Montenegrina, mantidas sob manejo orgânico, em Montenegro, RS / Spiders and predatory mites in the canopies of organically managed Montenegrina tangerine trees, in Montenegro County, RS

O estudo objetivou o levantamento da fauna de aranhas e ácaros com hábito predador, em copas de tangerineiras (Citrus deliciosa var. Montenegrina) em pomar orgânico, situado em Montenegro, RS. Durante um ano, quinzenalmente 24 plantas eram sorteadas e avaliadas em duas regiões da copa, utilizando-se um pano-de-batida (1 m²). Capturou-se o total de 3.129 indivíduos, sendo 2.559 aranhas e 570 ácaros. Em Araneae foram reconhecidas 53 espécies adultas distribuídas em oito famílias, dentre estas, as mais abundantes foram Sphecozone sp. (Linyphiidae) (21,8 por cento) e Chrysso pulcherrima (Mello-Leitão) (Theridiidae) (9,9 por cento). No outono observou-se a maior abundância de jovens e adultos (29,2 por cento) e, na primavera, a maior riqueza de espécies (40). Na primavera também se registraram os maiores valores para os índices de Margalef e Shannon-Wiener, este último, porém, não diferiu significativamente dos das demais estações. Os valores de Simpson, em todas as estações foram semelhantes, indicando o mesmo grau de dominância das espécies. Em Acari registraram-se oito espécies, distribuídas em três famílias, as mais abundantes foram Leptus sp.1 (Erythraeidae) (59,4 por cento) e Amblyseius saopaulus Denmark & Muma (Phytoseiidae) (30 por cento). O outono foi a estação mais rica em número de espécies (oito). No inverno observou-se a maior abundância de indivíduos (47 por cento) e, no verão, a menor (0,88 por cento). Entre os ácaros, Phytoseiidae apresentou a maior riqueza. Entre as aranhas, Anyphaenidae foi a que apresentou a maior abundância e Theridiidae, a maior riqueza de espécies, seguindo assim o padrão já observado para o grupo.

A survey was conducted to study the spider and predatory mite fauna occurring in the canopies of tangerine trees (Citrus deliciosa Tenore, cultivar Montenegrina) of an organically managed orchard, at Montenegro County, RS. During a year, fortnightly, 24 randomly trees were selected and sampled in two canopies areas, by using a sheet of white cloth (1 m²). A total of 3,129 arachnids were collected, being 2,559 spiders and 570 mites. Based on the adults, 53 species of Araneae were recognized, belonging to eight families. Among those, the most abundant were Sphecozone sp. (Linyphiidae) (21.8 percent) and Chrysso pulcherrima (Mello-Leitão) (Theridiidae) (9.9 percent). Autumn exhibited the greatest abundance of young and adults of Araneae (29.2 percent) and spring was the season richest in species (40). Margalef and Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes also showed the highest values in spring. The latter index did not show differences among seasons. Simpson complementary index was equal among seasons, reflecting the same degree of species dominance. In Acari, eight species were identified in three families. The most abundant species were the mites Leptus sp.1 (Erythraeidae) (59.4 percent) and Amblyseius saopaulus Denmark & Muma (Phytoseiidae) (30 percent). Autumn was the season richest in mite species (eight). The highest abundance (47 percent) was observed on winter and the lowest (0.88 percent) on summer. Among mites, Phytoseiidae showed the highest richness. Among the spiders, Anyphaenidae was the most abundant and Theridiidae had the highest species richness, following the patterns observed for the group.

[Spiders and predatory mites in the canopies of organically managed Montenegrina tangerine trees, in Montenegro County, RS]. / Aranhas e ácaros predadores em copas de tangerineiras Montenegrina, mantidas sob manejo orgânico, em Montenegro, RS.

A survey was conducted to study the spider and predatory mite fauna occurring in the canopies of tangerine trees (Citrus deliciosa Tenore, cultivar Montenegrina) of an organically managed orchard, at Montenegro County, RS. During a year, fortnightly, 24 randomly trees were selected and sampled in two canopies areas, by using a sheet of white cloth (1 m(2)). A total of 3,129 arachnids were collected, being 2,559 spiders and 570 mites. Based on the adults, 53 species of Araneae were recognized, belonging to eight families. Among those, the most abundant were Sphecozone sp. (Linyphiidae) (21.8%) and Chrysso pulcherrima (Mello-Leitão) (Theridiidae) (9.9%). Autumn exhibited the greatest abundance of young and adults of Araneae (29.2%) and spring was the season richest in species (40). Margalef and Shannon-Wiener diversity indexes also showed the highest values in spring. The latter index did not show differences among seasons. Simpson complementary index was equal among seasons, reflecting the same degree of species dominance. In Acari, eight species were identified in three families. The most abundant species were the mites Leptus sp.1 (Erythraeidae) (59.4%) and Amblyseius saopaulus Denmark & Muma (Phytoseiidae) (30%). Autumn was the season richest in mite species (eight). The highest abundance (47%) was observed on winter and the lowest (0.88%) on summer. Among mites, Phytoseiidae showed the highest richness. Among the spiders, Anyphaenidae was the most abundant and Theridiidae had the highest species richness, following the patterns observed for the group.