The Fauna of Arachnids in the Anthropocene of Mexico

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the biodiversity, habitats, distribution, medical importance, and conservation aspects of the class Arachnida in Mexico. We cover all the groups of the Arachnida, summarizing their diagnostic characteristics, present knowledge, conservation status, and endemism levels of the different groups. We present data of the recorded species richness of the arachnid orders recorded for Mexico which presently totals 6327 species, which accounts for approximately 5.25% of the worldwide total. Mexico has the most diversity in the world of Ricinulei, Palpigradi, Pseudoscorpiones, and Scorpiones. We discuss in detail recent scorpions, mites, and spider diversity and conservation studies as well as the conservation challenges of threatened spiders. In addition, we briefly review species of medical importance and discuss present and future perspectives of spiders and other arachnid studies.