[Characteristics of the venoms and digestive secretions of Aphonopelma seemanni and Sphaerobothria hoffmanni (Araneae: Theraphosidae) of Costa Rica].

A comparison of some components of the venoms of two Costa Rican tarantulas, Aphonopelma seemanni (Cambridge) and Sphaerobothria hoffmanni (Karsch) by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows patterns similar to those of Dugesiella hentzi (Girard), a North American tarantula. The digestive secretions have proteins that do not enter the 15% gels; thus no bands are observed. The method used by the tarantulas to consume their prey involves the action of both the venom and the digestive secretions. The percent protein, pH, proteolytic activity and hemolytic activity of venom and digestive secretions of both species were determined, and a high proteolytic activity for digestive secretions was found.