AT-BIOTA: Exploring Arthropod Biodiversity for the Discovery of Novel Bioactive Molecules in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Introduction: The Brazilian semi-arid region harbors a rich yet poorly explored arthropod biodiversity. Insects, spiders, and scorpions represent valuable sources of bioactive molecules, particularly through their venoms and biological secretions, with potential biomedical and biotechnological applications. Scientific expeditions and bioprospecting initiatives are therefore essential to document this diversity and identify novel bioactive compounds. Objective: To explore the diversity of arthropods, particularly triatomines, spiders, and scorpions, in underexplored areas of the Brazilian semi-arid region, establish a georeferenced biological collection, and provide resources for future bioprospecting and the discovery of novel bioactive molecules. Methodology: A scientific expedition was conducted in Piauí, Brazil, from July 2 to 9, 2026, covering municipalities including São Raimundo Nonato and Coronel José Dias, as well as surrounding rural areas. Sampling included over 60 residential inspections, six searches in natural environments, eight light-trap installations, and more than 30 peridomestic inspections. Results: The Piauí expedition successfully revealed an expressive diversity of vectors and medical arthropods, yielding 1,049 triatomines (such as Triatoma brasiliensis and Triatoma melanocephala), 485 spiders (such as Avicularia avicularia and Latrodectus geometricus), and 255 scorpions (such as Bothriurus rochai and Jaguajir agamemnon), while additional collected arthropods remain under biological cataloging. Secretions from the most frequently encountered species were collected and are currently being investigated for their biological and biochemical properties. Conclusion: The remarkable diversity and abundance of medically important arthropods documented in this expedition highlight the epidemiological relevance of the Brazilian semi-arid region. These findings provide valuable baseline data to strengthen entomological surveillance, improve risk assessment, and guide targeted interventions for Chagas disease prevention and control, while supporting the bioprospecting of animal-derived bioactive compounds.