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Oxford GS, Croucher PJP. Many a slip: dissecting the causes of reproductive isolation in two species of Tegenariaspiders (Agelenidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Geoff S. Oxford
- Department of Biology; University of York; Wentworth Way Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
| | - Peter J. P. Croucher
- Department of Biology; University of York; Wentworth Way Heslington York YO10 5DD UK
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2
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Verified spider bites in Oregon (USA) with the intent to assess hobo spider venom toxicity. Toxicon 2014; 84:51-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2014.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Bolzern A, Burckhardt D, Hänggi A. Phylogeny and taxonomy of European funnel-web spiders of theTegenaria−Malthonicacomplex (Araneae: Agelenidae) based upon morphological and molecular data. Zool J Linn Soc 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Burckhardt
- Naturhistorisches Museum Basel; Augustinergasse 2; CH-4001; Basel; Switzerland
| | - Ambros Hänggi
- Naturhistorisches Museum Basel; Augustinergasse 2; CH-4001; Basel; Switzerland
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4
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Abstract
In North America, spider envenomation is perceived to be a greater threat than in actuality; however, it still is a valid source of morbidity and, very rarely, mortality. Only 2 groups (widows, recluses) are medically important on this continent. Widow bites affect the neuromuscular junction, have minor dermatologic expression, and are treated with analgesics and antivenom. Recluse bites vary from mild, self-limiting rashes to extensive dermonecrosis. Recent awareness of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a ubiquitous cause of skin injury that is often mistaken as attributable to recluse bites has questioned the credence of spiders being the cause of idiopathic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Vetter
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Gaver-Wainwright MM, Zack RS, Foradori MJ, Lavine LC. Misdiagnosis of spider bites: bacterial associates, mechanical pathogen transfer, and hemolytic potential of venom from the hobo spider, Tegenaria agrestis (Araneae: Agelenidae). JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2011; 48:382-388. [PMID: 21485377 DOI: 10.1603/me09224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The European spider Tegenaria agrestis (Walckenaer) (hobo spider) has been implicated as a spider of medical importance in the Pacific Northwest since its introduction in the late 1980s. Studies have indicated that the hobo spider causes necrotic tissue lesions through hemolytic venom or through the transfer of pathogenic bacteria introduced by its bite. Bacterial infections are often diagnosed as spider bites, in particular the pathogenic bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study examines three aspects of the potential medical importance of hobo spiders in part of its introduced range, Washington State. First, the bacterial diversity of the spider was surveyed using a polymerase chain reaction-based assay to determine whether the spider carries any pathogenic bacteria. Second, an experiment was conducted to determine the ability of the spiders to transfer MRSA. Third, the venom was evaluated to assess the hemolytic activity. We found 10 genera of ubiquitous bacteria on the exterior surface of the spiders. In addition, none of the spiders exposed to MRSA transferred this pathogen. Finally, the hemolytic venom assay corroborates previous studies that found hobo spider venom was not deleterious to vertebrate red blood cells.
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Salomon M, Vibert S, Bennett RG. Habitat use by western black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) in coastal British Columbia: evidence of facultative group living. CAN J ZOOL 2010. [DOI: 10.1139/z10-004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Animal social systems come in a wide range of forms characterized by different types of group-living relationships. Species that express facultative group-living behaviours, where individuals only associate under certain conditions or at certain times, are especially interesting for studying social evolution. We investigated the social structure of the western black widow spider ( Latrodectus hesperus Chamberlin and Ivie, 1935) over 5 years in a coastal British Columbia habitat, and present the first comprehensive evidence of facultative group living in the genus Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805. Latrodectus hesperus have a flexible social structure that varies seasonally, wherein individuals (mostly females) either form groups or live solitarily. In the fall and early winter, females spontaneously form groups of 2–8 individuals, but live alone during the oviposition season in the spring and summer. When living in groups spiders share large webs and are tolerant of each other, although they appear to forage individually. We also report on the relationships between different ecological factors and the social structure of L. hesperus, including the interaction of these spiders with two co-occurring species of introduced spiders ( Tegenaria agrestis (Walckenaer, 1802) and Tegenaria duellica Simon, 1875). Our findings suggest that L. hesperus is a good model system with which to explore the mechanisms involved in the evolution of sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxence Salomon
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range, 7380 Puckle Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W4, Canada
| | - Samantha Vibert
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range, 7380 Puckle Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W4, Canada
| | - Robert G. Bennett
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
- British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range, 7380 Puckle Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 1W4, Canada
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Abstract
Spiders have been incriminated as causes of human suffering for centuries, but few species worldwide cause medically significant envenomation. Widow spiders (Latrodectus spp.) occur worldwide and cause latrodectism, which is characterized by pain (local and generalized) associated with nonspecific systemic effects, diaphoresis, and less commonly other autonomic and neurological effects. Recluse spiders (Loxosceles spp.) are distributed mostly through the tropical and subtropical Western Hemisphere and can cause severe skin lesions and rarely systemic effects; most bites are unremarkable. Highly dangerous spiders in South America (armed spiders) and Australia (funnel-web spiders) cause rare but severe envenomation requiring medical intervention and sometimes antivenom. Most other spiders involved in verified bites cause minor, transient effects. Many spiders blamed for causing medical mischief have been elevated to medical significance via circumstantial evidence, poor reporting, and repetitive citation in the literature; several species have been shown to be harmless with more stringent scientific evidence involving verified bites in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Vetter
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Abstract
Spider bite continues to be a controversial subject worldwide and attribution of clinical effects to different spiders is problematic because of poor case definition and paucity of clinical evidence. The effects of medically important spiders are sometimes underestimated and simultaneously there is misattribution of effects to harmless spider groups. The majority of suspected spider bites present as skin lesions or necrotic ulcers where the history of a spider bite must be confirmed. To be a definite spider bite, the patient must immediately observe the spider and there be evidence of the bite, such as pain. Important groups of spiders worldwide include the widow spiders (latrodectism), recluse spiders (loxoscelism) and some mygalomorph spiders including the Australian Funnel web spider. Most spiders only cause minor effects, including a large number of groups that have been implicated in necrotic arachnidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey K Isbister
- Emergency Department, Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2298, Australia.
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Abstract
This article focuses on the medically relevant arachnid species found in North America and selected other arachnids from around the world. While it is largely still true that the geographic location of the envenomation assists in determining the species responsible, the booming trade in arachnids as exotic pets should prompt the clinician to inquire into this possibility. Expert advice should be sought in either case; species identification is critical in determining the need for and proper type of antivenom therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Saucier
- University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington 05405, USA.
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