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Latrodectus rhodesiensis

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Latrodectus rhodesiensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Latrodectus
Species:
L. rhodesiensis
Binomial name
Latrodectus rhodesiensis
Mackay, 1972[1]

Latrodectus rhodesiensis is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in southern Africa.[1] 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 when humans are bitten, although brown button spiders are not generally as venomous as black button or black widow spiders, such as L. indistinctus.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Taxon details Latrodectus rhodesiensis Mackay, 1972", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-02-03
  2. ^ Müller, G.J.; Wium, C.A.; Marks, C.J.; du Plessis, C.E.; Veale, D.J.H., "Spider bite in southern Africa: diagnosis and management", Continuing Medical Education, retrieved 2016-02-03