wandering spider

wandering spider

      any member of the family Ctenidae (order Araneida), a small group of large spiders of mainly tropical and subtropical regions, commonly found on foliage and on the ground. The first two legs are armed with strong bristles on the lower side. Cupiennius salei, found in rainforests in Central and South America, has a characteristic banding pattern on its upper legs.

      The Brazilian wandering spiders, Phoneutria fera and P. nigriventer, are sometimes also referred to as banana spiders because they are frequently found on banana leaves. They have an aggressive defense posture, in which they raise their front legs straight up into the air. Phoneutria are poisonous to humans. Their venom is toxic to the nervous system, causing symptoms such as salivation, irregular heartbeat, and prolonged, painful erections (priapism) in men. Scientists are investigating the venom of P. nigriventer as a possible treatment for erectile dysfunction.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wandering spider — Wandering Wan der*ing, a. & n. from {Wander}, v. [1913 Webster] {Wandering albatross} (Zo[ o]l.), the great white albatross. See Illust. of {Albatross}. {Wandering cell} (Physiol.), an animal cell which possesses the power of spontaneous movement …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wandering spider — Wandering spiders Phoneutria nigriventer Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia …   Wikipedia

  • wandering spider — noun any spider of the family Ctenidae, some of which are extremely aggressive …   Wiktionary

  • wandering spider — noun : a spider that wanders about in search of its prey rather than trapping it with a fixed web …   Useful english dictionary

  • wandering spider — Ctenus ferus, a South American species with a painful bite. Severe reactions may involve weakness, irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties, and temporary blindness; in young children deaths have occurred …   Medical dictionary

  • Brazilian wandering spider — Phoneutria nigriventer Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia …   Wikipedia

  • Spider bite — redirects here. For The Spider Bite urban legend, see The Spider Bite. Spider bite Classification and external resources Chelicerae of a black wishbone (nemesiid) spider, a mygalomorph …   Wikipedia

  • Wandering — Wan der*ing, a. & n. from {Wander}, v. [1913 Webster] {Wandering albatross} (Zo[ o]l.), the great white albatross. See Illust. of {Albatross}. {Wandering cell} (Physiol.), an animal cell which possesses the power of spontaneous movement, as one… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wandering albatross — Wandering Wan der*ing, a. & n. from {Wander}, v. [1913 Webster] {Wandering albatross} (Zo[ o]l.), the great white albatross. See Illust. of {Albatross}. {Wandering cell} (Physiol.), an animal cell which possesses the power of spontaneous movement …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Wandering cell — Wandering Wan der*ing, a. & n. from {Wander}, v. [1913 Webster] {Wandering albatross} (Zo[ o]l.), the great white albatross. See Illust. of {Albatross}. {Wandering cell} (Physiol.), an animal cell which possesses the power of spontaneous movement …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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