Contribution to the knowledge of pathogenic fungi of spiders in Argentina: Southernmost record in the world / Aporte al conocimiento de los hongos patógenos de arañas en Argentina: El registro más austral del mundo

The aim of this study was to identify entomopathogenic fungi infecting spiders (Araneae) in a protected area of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. The Araneae species identified was Stenoterommata platensis. The pathogens identified were Lecanicillium aphanocladii Zare & W. Gams, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard, Houbraken, Hywel Jones & Samson and Ophiocordyceps caloceroides (Berk & M.A. Curtis). This study constitutes the southernmost records in the world and contributes to expanding the knowledge of the biodiversity of pathogenic fungi of spiders in Argentina.

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar hongos entomopatógenos de arañas en un área protegida de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. La especie de araña identificada fue Stenoterommata platensis. Los patógenos identificados fueron Lecanicillium aphanocladii Zare y W. Gams, Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard, Houbraken, Hywel Jones y Samson y Ophiocordyceps caloceroides (Berk y M.A. Curtis). Este estudio constituye el registro más austral del mundo y contribuye a ampliar el conocimiento de la biodiversidad de hongos patógenos de arañas en Argentina.

Wolbachia screening in spiders and assessment of horizontal transmission between predator and prey

Recent studies have revealed that the prevalence of Wolbachia in arthropods is attributable not only to its vertical transmission, but also to its horizontal transfer. In order to assess the horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between predator and prey, arthropods belonging to 11 spider families and six insect families were collected in the same field of rice. The distribution of Wolbachia in these arthropods was detected by diagnostic PCR amplification of the wsp (Wolbachia outer surface protein gene) and 16S rDNA genes. Nurscia albofasciata Strand (Araneae: Titanoecidae), Propylea japonica Thunberg (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Paederus fuscipes Curtis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and Nilaparvata lugens Stal (Homoptera: Delphacidae) were infected with Wolbachia. This is the first report of infection of N. albofasciata and P. fuscipes by Wolbachia. No direct evidence indicated the existence of horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between predator and prey.