Six-eyed sand spider

Taxobox
name = Six-eyed sand spider


image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Araneae
familia = Sicariidae
genus = "Sicarius"
species = "S. hahni"
binomial = "Sicarius hahni"
binomial_authority = Walckenaer, 1847
range_

range_map_width = 250px
synonyms ="Hexomma hahnii"
"Hexophthalma hahni"

The six-eyed sand spider ("Sicarius hahni") is a medium-sized spider found in deserts and other sandy places in southern Africa. It is a member of the Sicariidae family; close relatives may be found in both Africa and in South America, and its near cousins, the recluses ("Loxosceles"), are found worldwide. Due to its flattened stance and laterigrade legs, it is also sometimes known as the six-eyed crab spider. Studies of its venom have led some to recognize this spider's bite as the most dangerous on record.

Behavior

This spider buries itself in the sand and strikes from ambush at prey that wanders too closely. Sand particles adhere to cuticles on its abdomen, thus acting as a natural camouflage if uncovered. If disturbed, it will run a short distance and bury itself again.

Venom

There is some question as to the danger posed by this spider. It is very shy and unlikely to bite humans, and there are few (if any) recorded human envenomations by "Sicarius". However, toxicology studies have demonstrated that the venom is particularly potent, with a powerful hemolytic/necrotoxic effect, causing blood vessel leakage and tissue destruction. Envenomations of laboratory animals have yielded devastating results, with many of the test subjects developing multiorgan breakdowns. Unlike the dangerous neurotoxic spiders (the widow spiders, the Australasian funnel-web spider, and the Brazilian wandering spiders), no antivenin currently exists for "Sicarius", leading many authorities to suspect that a bite by this spider is likely to produce a fatality.

Name

The genus name, "sicarius", is Latin for "murderer", "assassin".

The species is named after arachnologist Carl Wilhelm Hahn, so the binomial means "Hahn's assassin".

External links

* http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=slideshowViewSlide&slideshowId=185&slideId=6327