L. amazonica. The municipality of Dianópolis (-13.62806, -46.82139) is situated in the southeastern region of Tocantins, approximately 420 km from the state capital, Palmas, and 650 km from Brasília. And the municipality of Cristalândia (-10.59833, -49.19417) is situated in the southwestern region and approximately 154 km from Palmas and 501 km from Brasília. The predominant biome in Tocantins is the Cerrado, also known as the Brazilian Savanna, characterized by eleven phytophysiognomic variations. Between 2022 and 2023, Loxosceles specimens were collected from both enclave area of Savanna and Seasonal Semideciduous Forest within the Cerrado, as well as through household collections by local residents of Dianópolis. In Cristalândia, the specimens were collected in an urban area. The collected specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol. The material was identified following the diagnostic criteria established by Fukushima et al. (2017). The voucher material is deposited in the entomological collection of the Federal University of Tocantins (UFNT). The specimens were examined and photographed under a Leica M165C stereomicroscope. The epigynum of females were detached for better visualization of their structures, with the epigyna being clarified with 10% KOH. The online tool SimpleMappr was used to create the map (Shorthouse 2010). Abbreviations used: CD - copulatory duct; CO - copulatory opening; PL -Posterior lobe; S - spermatheca. Two adult females, one adult male, and three juvenile specimens of Loxosceles amazonica were collected at tree locations (enclave area in Dianópolis: -11.6319, -46.809083; -11.633297, -46.80226; urban area in Cristalândia: -10.59848, -49.1942) (Figures 4, 5 A-E). The species can be easily identified as females of L. amazonica have a cluster of globular lobes on the apex of the seminal receptacles (Figures 5 A-C), and males have a shorter embolus with a mild curvature apex (Figures 5 D-E). Spermatheca variations have been studied byFukushima et al. (2017), who found differences in the number and size of lobes in specimens collected in different regions. In the specimen collected in Dianópolis, the following variation in the female spermatheca was observed: presence of six globular lobes at the apex of the receptacles, some of which are bilobed, and dark sclerotized lateral bands reaching the apex and forming a wider process in the median portion of the bands (Figures 5 A-C). A comparative analysis, the specimen collected in Dianópolis showed greater similarity to L. amazonica specimens collected in São Raimundo Nonato, Piauí, Brazil (MNRJ 6927, ref. GSB11A-17, as show in Fukushima et al. 2017). Studying variations in the spermatheca is crucial for understanding comparative anatomy among spider species. The differences observed provide valuable insights into the morphological diversity within spider taxa. Variations in reproductive structures, such as the spermatheca, are often used to differentiate species and subspecies. Detailed anatomical comparisons help in accurate species identification and classification. Analyzing anatomical differences can also reveal evolutionary relationships between species and might be related to mating behavior and ecological adaptations (specific reproductive strategies or environmental conditions). Identifying similarities and differences in reproductive morphology helps reconstruct phylogenetic trees and understand evolutionary processes.

Published as part of Madaleno, Kassia & Salvatierra, Lidianne, 2024, New Records of Loxosceles amazonica Gertsch, 1967 (Arachnida: Araneae: Sicariidae) from Tocantins, Brazil with Description of Female Genitalia Variation, pp. 1-4 in EntomoBrasilis (e 0000) (e 0000) 17 on pages 2-3, DOI: 10.12741/ebrasilis.v17.e1093, http://zenodo.org/record/17000614