They discover the largest of deadly black widows – ElSol.com.ar – Diario de Mendoza, Argentina

Discovered in South Africa, the "Phinda button" spider is probably the first new species of black widow spider discovered and described in the last 28 years, and the largest of them, reports the Earth.com portal.

Barbara Wright, entomologist at the Wild Tomorrow Fund who made the discovery, said: "Although we have not yet done the toxicology on this species, all widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) are considered medically important because of their potent neurotoxic venom"

"The effects of poison on humans can include pain, palpitations, sweating, and vomiting," he said.

Wright found the first spider of this species in 2014 at Tembe Elephant Park.

According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, previously discovered widow spider species make up three of the world's nine deadliest spiders, but in reality, Latrodectus bites rarely cause death and the same may happen with the new ones. species, "he said.

According to Dr. Ian Engelbrecht, expert in arachnids at the University of Pretoria, the Phinda Button It is native to the sandy soil forests of South Africa, a critically endangered ecosystem.

Females have distinctive bright red markings on their belly and back, unlike other black widows, who usually have them on one or the other part of the body. This spider is also distinguished by its purple egg bag, which contains hundreds of future descendants.

The scientist emphasized the importance of the discovery by stating that "the discovery of a new species of spider widow in a critically endangered habitat truly underscores the importance of his protection ".