New predatory interaction of Trichonephila clavipes (Araneae: Nephilidae) on Fidicinini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in a forest fragment of the Neotropical region

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  New predatory interaction of Trichonephila clavipes (Araneae: Nephilidae) on Fidicinini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in a forest fragment of the Neotropical region Abstract Trichonephila clavipes (Araneae: Nephilidae) is an orb web-building spider whose diet is primarily based on flying insects. This note aims to report the first predatory interaction of T. clavipes on a cicada of the genus Fidicina (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. The predation event was observed (ad libitum) in the Benjamin Maranhão Botanical Garden situated in the Mata do Buraquinho Wildlife Refuge, northeastern Brazil. A specimen of Fidicina sp. was found freshly dead and trapped in the web of T. clavipes. The nephilid was observed moving slowly between the ventral and dorsal regions of the Fidicina sp. without weaving a web around the cicadid. Then, T. clavipes was observed perched on the left side of the Fidicina sp., with its pedipalps and chelicerae manipulating the thorax ...

A Case Report on Generalised Muscle Spasms After Ornamental Tarantula Bites That Well-Responded to Intravenous Calcium Gluconate Treatment

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By Matěj Baťha - This photograph was taken with a DSLR from WMCZ's Camera grant., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32462389


A Case Report on Generalised Muscle Spasms After Ornamental Tarantula Bites That Well-Responded to Intravenous Calcium Gluconate Treatment


Abstract 


Here, we present a case of a 55-year-old male, who was admitted with a spider bite, which caused swelling of the hand and painful muscle spasms along with palpitations. The patient made a complete recovery after the administration of intravenous calcium gluconate, followed by oral calcium supplements. Although no specific treatment exists in Sri Lanka for spider bites, calcium supplements can be beneficial for Sri Lankan ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria fasciata) bites.

Ramesh R, Kanagasingam A, Anushanth U, et al. (August 07, 2023) A Case Report on Generalised Muscle Spasms After Ornamental Tarantula Bites That Well-Responded to Intravenous Calcium Gluconate Treatment. Cureus 15(8): e43074. doi:10.7759/cureus.43074