Aug
25
Spiders: The Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus spp.)
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The black widow spider (Latrodectus spp.) is a spider notorious for its neurotoxic venom. It is a large widow spider found throughout the world and commonly associated with urban habitats or agricultural areas. Although the common name ‘black widow spider’ is most commonly used to refer to the three North American species best known for their dark coloration and red hourglass pattern, it is occasionally also applied to several other members of the Latrodectus (widow spider) genus in which there are 31 recognized species including the Australian red-back, brown widow spider (sometimes called the gray widow), and the red widow spider. Continue Reading »
Goliath tiger fish, such as the one seen above, are among the uniquely adapted “monster fish” of the Congo River, which winds through several African countries A recent, unprecedented river run on the Congo yielded a raft of new discoveries, including different species–some potentially new–in nearly every nook and cranny, scientists announced this week. 
The Chain Moray Eel, also known as the Chainlink Moray Eel, or simply, the Chain Eel, has a white to yellow body with handsome brown, black, or gray chain markings. 
Latrodectus rhodesiensis was originally described from Zimbabwe. They are usually paler in colour and their egg sacs are distinct in being larger and having a more fluffy appearance. They have been recorded from Zimbabwe and also small areas in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo Province. 
Size 
The first record of the African black widow spider, Latrodectus cinctus Blackwall, 1865 (= L. indistinctus Pickard-Cambridge, 1904) from Liberia is presented. 
They are nocturnal, web-living spiders. Button spiders are very timid, usually retreating when disturbed or dropping to the ground and playing dead. 
The yellow garden spider, also known as Argiope aurantia is most abundant from the end of July to mid September. They produce huge orb webs and hangs in their webs with their head down waiting for prey. 
The wolf spiders belong to the Lycosidae family and consists of several species. The one described here is the Lycosidae godeffroyi. This wolf spider is typically found in suburban areas of Australia and is commonly known as the garden wolf spider. 
Introduction