Abstract

CABRERA-ESPINOSA, Luis A.  and  VALDEZ-MONDRAGON, Alejandro. Distribution and ecological niche modeling, biogeographical and taxonomic comments of the spider genus Latrodectus (Araneae: Theridiidae) from Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2021, vol.92, e923665.  Epub Feb 03, 2022. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2021.92.3665.

The spider genus Latrodectus currently is composed by 132 species, 3 species in Mexico: Latrodectus mactans, Latrodectus hesperus, and Latrodectus geometricus (introduced). The real and potential distribution of the 3 species for the country were analyzed, with updated records per state, as well as the description of the geographic variation of the dorsal and ventral coloration patterns of the opisthosoma of females of L. mactans. A total of 1,147 records of the 3 species were obtained, having records from all the states of the country and from the 14 biogeographical provinces. Ecological niche modeling was performed using 21 environmental variables for the whole genus in the country, and particularly for L. mactans and L. geometricus. Regarding the regional variation of dorsal coloration of the opisthosoma of the females, 8 patterns were identified for L. mactans and 3 for L. geometricus. Regarding the variation of the ventral “hourglass” pattern of the opisthosoma, L. mactans presented the biggest variation, recording 40 different patterns. Given the wide morphological variation and coloration patterns, the diversity of species in Mexico could be underestimated, requiring a future taxonomic study under an integrative context of the different populations, mainly of L. mactans.

Keywords : Biogeography; Ecological niche modeling; Geographical variation; Updated records.