From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae)

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  From folkloric origins to scientific systematics: the first detailed redescription of the type species of Lycosa Latreille, 1804 with insight into the genus (Araneae: Lycosidae) Abstract The genus  Lycosa  has often served as a wastebasket taxon for species whose systematic position within the Lycosidae remains unclear. This is partly due to the lack of clear information regarding the diagnostic characters of its nominal species, the southern European  Lycosa tarantula  (Linnaeus, 1758). Despite being known for centuries by both academics and the general public, with the earliest published depictions dating back to the late 16 th  century, the taxonomy of this species has long been neglected. In this study, we redescribe  L. tarantula  based on samples from its ‘ terra typica ’ in southern Italy. We provide detailed photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters of both the copulatory organs and the habitus of the species, along with...

Fatal Viscerocutaneous Brown Recluse Envenomation With Orbital Compartment Syndrome

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Fatal Viscerocutaneous Brown Recluse Envenomation With Orbital Compartment Syndrome

Abstract

Loxosceles is an arachnid genus comprising several species in the United States, popularly known as brown recluse spiders. The venom is cytotoxic, complex, and has a mixture of many proteins, some of which function as proteases. Envenomation can cause necrotic skin lesions that may become extensive and take many months to heal. Even more rarely, venom may cause systemic effects, leading to widespread hemolysis, coagulopathy, and death. These symptoms typically occur rapidly within 24-48 hours following the bite. We describe a rare case of a 44-year-old male with fatal systemic loxoscelism with orbital compartment syndrome requiring emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis.

Meadows J W, Shayesteh N, Crandall E, et al. (May 23, 2024) Fatal Viscerocutaneous Brown Recluse Envenomation With Orbital Compartment Syndrome. Cureus 16(5): e60943. doi:10.7759/cureus.60943