title: Chromosomes of Theridiidae spiders (Entelegynae): Interspecific karyotype diversity in Argyrodes and diploid number intraspecific variability in Nesticodes rufipes.
abstract: Theridiidae is a derived family within the Araneoidea clade. In contrast to closely related groups, the 2n(male) = 20+X(1) X (2) with acro/telocentric chromosomes is the most widespread karyotype among the theridiid spiders. In this work, the cytogenetic analysis of Argyrodes elevatus revealed original chromosome features different from those previously registered for Theridiidae, including the presence of 2n(male) = 20+X with meta/submetacentric chromosomes. Most individuals of Nesticodes rufipes showed family conserved karyotype characteristics. However, one individual had a 2n(male) = 24 due to the presence of an extra chromosome pair, which exhibited regular behavior and reductional segregation during meiosis. After silver staining, mitotic cells exhibited NORs localized on the terminal regions of the short arms of pairs 2, 3, and 4 of A. elevatus and on the terminal regions of long arms of pair 4 of N. rufipes. The comparative analysis with data from phylogenetically related species allowed the clarification of the origin of the interspecific and intraspecific chromosome variability observed in Argyrodes and in N. rufipes, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Rio Claro, SP Brazil.
authors.forename: Leila Miguel
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Stavale
authors.forename: Marielle Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: Antonio Domingos
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Brescovit
authors.forename: Doralice Maria
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cella