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Button Spider
Button spider is a common name used in Southern Africa to refer to local members of the spider genus, ''Latrodectus'', the family Theridiidae. There are both black and brown button spiders in Southern Africa, that are known elsewhere as widow spiders. Seven ''Latrodectus'' species can be found in Southern Africa; six of them are native, one is possibly imported. Venom All species of ''Latrodectus'' are venomous to humans, and their bite constitutes a medical emergency. Envenomation by these spiders can be fatal to children and ill or infirm adults but there has never been a documented fatality from any button spider species in Southern Africa. Ordinarily, the body mass of a healthy adult is sufficient to dilute the venom to less than a fatal concentration. In most species, only the female spider is capable of effectively delivering the venom to humans as the males have much smaller chelicerae. Although rarely fatal, the symptoms of the bite are often incredibly painful and medic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Common Name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism, which is Latinized. A common name is sometimes frequently used, but that is not always the case. In chemistry, IUPAC defines a common name as one that, although it unambiguously defines a chemical, does not follow the current systematic naming convention, such as acetone, systematically 2-propanone, while a vernacular name describes one used in a lab, trade or industry that does not unambiguously describe a single chemical, such as copper sulfate, which may refer to either copper(I) sulfate or copper(II) sulfate. Sometimes common names are created by authorities on one particular subject, in an attempt to make it possible for members of the general public (including such interested par ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a serious, potentially fatal allergic reaction and medical emergency that is rapid in onset and requires immediate medical attention regardless of use of emergency medication on site. It typically causes more than one of the following: an itchy rash, throat closing due to swelling which can obstruct or stop breathing; severe tongue swelling which can also interfere with or stop breathing; shortness of breath, vomiting, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and medical shock. These symptoms typically start in minutes to hours and then increase very rapidly to life-threatening levels. Urgent medical treatment is required to prevent serious harm or death, even if the patient has used an epipen or has taken other medications in response, and even if symptoms appear to be improving. Common causes include allergies to insect bites and stings, allergies to foods – including nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, eggs and some fresh fruits or dried fruits; a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spiders Of Africa
Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all orders of organisms. Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica, and have become established in nearly every land habitat. , 50,356 spider species in 132 families have been recorded by taxonomists. However, there has been debate among scientists about how families should be classified, with over 20 different classifications proposed since 1900. Anatomically, spiders (as with all arachnids) differ from other arthropods in that the usual body segments are fused into two tagmata, the cephalothorax or prosoma, and the opisthosoma, or abdomen, and joined by a small, cylindrical pedicel, however, as there is currently neither paleontological nor embryological evidence that spiders ever had a separate t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brown Widow Spider
''Latrodectus geometricus'', commonly known as the brown widow, brown button spider, grey widow, brown black widow, house button spider or geometric button spider, is one of the widow spiders in the genus ''Latrodectus''. As such, it is a 'cousin' to the more infamous ''Latrodectus mactans'' (black widow). ''L. geometricus'' has black and white patterns on the sides of its abdomen as well as an orange-yellow colored hourglass shape. Their eggs are easily identified by points that project from all over the egg sacs. ''L. geometricus'' are found all over the world, but are believed to originate in South America. Their bites, though painful, are not considered to be dangerous. Taxonomy ''L. geometricus'' derives its name from the geometric patterning on its abdomen. However, the spider's coloring can and does darken over time and the pattern may become obscured. Similar widows include the ''L. rhodesiensis'', a brown-colored relative of ''L. geometricus'' which is native to Z ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territories, nine Minor Outlying Islands, and 326 Indian reservations. The United States is also in free association with three Pacific Island sovereign states: the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. It is the world's third-largest country by both land and total area. It shares land borders with Canada to its north and with Mexico to its south and has maritime borders with the Bahamas, Cuba, Russia, and other nations. With a population of over 333 million, it is the most populous country in the Americas and the third most populous in the world. The national capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. and its most populous city and principal financial center is New York City. Paleo-Americ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latrodectus Umbukwane
''Latrodectus umbukwane,'' commonly known as the Phinda button spider, is a species of the spider in the genus ''Latrodectus'' described in 2019, named after the Phinda Private Game Reserve where research specimens were collected. , it is known only from critically endangered sand forest environments in northern Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is believed to be the largest member of its genus. Discovery A single female was first found in 2014 in the Tembe Elephant Park. It was observed until its natural death two years later, when it was collected and sent to a laboratory. In 2017 a professional entomologist joined the study and a number of live specimens were collected from the Phinda reserve. They and their offspring were studied until 2019 when it was confirmed to be a new species. The first addition in 28 years to the 31 previously known button, or widow spiders in the genus ''Latrodectus'', of which eight are found in Africa. Description Females have red markings ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latrodectus Rhodesiensis
''Latrodectus rhodesiensis'' is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in southern Africa. It is one of six species of ''Latrodectus'' found in southern Africa, two of which, including ''L. rhodesiensis'', are known as brown button or brown widow spiders. Like all ''Latrodectus'' species, ''L. rhodesiensis'' has a neurotoxic venom. It acts on nerve endings, causing the very unpleasant symptoms of latrodectism Latrodectism () is the illness caused by the bite of ''Latrodectus'' spiders (the black widow spider and related species). Pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating are the symptoms of latrodectism. There are several spider species all named b ... when humans are bitten, although brown button spiders are not generally as venomous as black button or black widow spiders, such as '' L. indistinctus''. References rhodesiensis Spiders of Africa Spiders described in 1972 {{Theridiidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latrodectus Renivulvatus
''Latrodectus renivulvatus'' is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It is one of six species of ''Latrodectus'' found in southern Africa, four of which, including ''L. renivulvatus'', are known as black button or black widow spiders. Like all ''Latrodectus'' species, ''L. renivulvatus'' has a neurotoxic venom. It acts on nerve endings, causing the very unpleasant symptoms of latrodectism Latrodectism () is the illness caused by the bite of ''Latrodectus'' spiders (the black widow spider and related species). Pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating are the symptoms of latrodectism. There are several spider species all named b ... when humans are bitten. References renivulvatus Spiders of Africa Spiders of Asia Spiders described in 1902 Taxa named by Friedrich Dahl {{Theridiidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karoo
The Karoo ( ; from the Afrikaans borrowing of the South Khoekhoe !Orakobab or Khoemana word ''ǃ’Aukarob'' "Hardveld") is a semi-desert natural region of South Africa. No exact definition of what constitutes the Karoo is available, so its extent is also not precisely defined. The Karoo is partly defined by its topography, geology and climate, and above all, its low rainfall, arid air, cloudless skies, and extremes of heat and cold.Potgieter, D.J. & du Plessis, T.C. (1972) ''Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa''. Vol. 6. pp. 306–307. Nasou, Cape Town.''Reader’s Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa''. (5th Ed. 1993). pp. 78–89. Reader’s Digest Association of South Africa Pty. Ltd., Cape Town. The Karoo also hosted a well-preserved ecosystem hundreds of million years ago which is now represented by many fossils. The ǃ’Aukarob formed an almost impenetrable barrier to the interior from Cape Town, and the early adventurers, explorers, hunters, and travelers o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latrodectus Karrooensis
''Latrodectus karrooensis'' is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in South Africa. It is one of six species of ''Latrodectus'' found in southern Africa, four of which, including ''L. karrooensis'', are known as black button or black widow spiders. Like all ''Latrodectus'' species, ''L. karrooensis'' has a neurotoxic venom. It acts on nerve endings, causing the very unpleasant symptoms of latrodectism Latrodectism () is the illness caused by the bite of ''Latrodectus'' spiders (the black widow spider and related species). Pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating are the symptoms of latrodectism. There are several spider species all named b ... when humans are bitten. References Endemic fauna of South Africa karrooensis Spiders of South Africa Spiders described in 1944 {{Theridiidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latrodectus Indistinctus
''Latrodectus indistinctus'' is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in Namibia and South Africa. It is one of six species of ''Latrodectus'' found in southern Africa, four of which, including ''L. indistinctus'', are known as black button or black widow spiders. Like all ''Latrodectus'' species, ''L. indistinctus'' has a neurotoxic venom. It acts on nerve endings, causing the very unpleasant symptoms of latrodectism when humans are bitten. Description and behavior Like all spiders in the genus ''Latrodectus'', females are larger than males. Females range from 7 to 16 mm, and the males 2.5 to 5 mm. In maturity, most retain at least short red stripes radiating upward from the tip of the dorsal abdomen. Like many black widows, it is not aggressive. Its defense method when it feels threatened is to drop to the ground and play dead. Their egg sacks are usually hung in bush vegetation, where prey, which includes insects and arthropods, is available nearby ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Latrodectus Cinctus
''Latrodectus cinctus'' is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in Cape Verde Islands, Africa, Kuwait and Iran. It is one of six species of ''Latrodectus'' found in southern Africa, four of which, including ''L. cinctus'', are known as black button or black widow spiders. Like all ''Latrodectus'' species, ''L. cinctus'' has a neurotoxic venom. It acts on nerve endings, causing the very unpleasant symptoms of latrodectism Latrodectism () is the illness caused by the bite of ''Latrodectus'' spiders (the black widow spider and related species). Pain, muscle rigidity, vomiting, and sweating are the symptoms of latrodectism. There are several spider species all named b ... when humans are bitten. References cinctus Spiders of Africa Spiders of Asia Spiders described in 1865 {{Theridiidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
