No Mediterranean recluse spiders found in other caverns in Kanchanaburi

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No Mediterranean recluse spiders found in other caverns in Kanchanaburi



KANCHANABURI: -- Entomologists from Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus say they discovered no Mediterranean recluse spiders in caverns around the 20-kilometre perimeter from their campus.

The survey of caverns to locate the poisonous spider came a week after entomologist from the Science Faculty at Chulalongkorn University discovered the spiders as they were exploring caverns in Saiyoke district in Kanchanaburi province.

The spider is recognised by entomologist as one of the most poisonous arachnids in the world. This is the first time that this species of spider has been discovered in the country.

Mahidol entomologists said they believed the spiders lived only in the cavern they were found as survey at other cavern around the campus found none of this species of spiders.

The Mediterranean recluse spider has a yellowish-brown color and is devoid of any stripes or patterns on its skin. The color is akin to the color of a violin and that is why it is also sometimes called the Violin spider. It has 6 eyes and varies in size from 7 – 7.5 mm and is native to Mediterranean countries. Recently, it has been discovered in a number of countries such as the US, Mexico, Russia and Australia. In the Asian region, a certain number of these spiders have also been found in China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

The exploration was part of a conservation effort that was initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

They speculated hat the spider most probably made its way into the country during WWII when the Japanese Army ran supplies and ordnance through Thailand. Caves in Kanchanaburi province were used to store the supplies during the construction of the infamous ‘Death Railway’. The Mediterranean recluse spider has been reported to have been discovered in Japan prior to WWII.

Venom from the Mediterranean Recluse spider causes extensive damage to tissue surrounding the bite area. Victims who are bitten develop red blisters which usually fade after a period of time.

Most of the deaths reported as a result of bites from the Mediterranean Recluse spider are due to the onset of infection on the damaged tissue caused by its venom.

Doctors warn that young children, the elderly and those with low immunities are the most likely to be adversely affected by the spider’s venom.

They advised that in the event of being bitten by the Mediterranean recluse spider, basic first-aid must be rapidly administered and victims should seek immediate medical attention.

“In the event of being bitten, it is critical that the spider is caught. This will help doctors identify the type of venom and the right anti-venom can then be prescribed. It is vital to wash the bite area with clean water and soap. Then alternately apply ice for at least 10 minutes and then rest for 10 minutes repeatedly to reduce inflammation and seek immediate medical attention. Also try not exert yourself physically too much before reaching doctors.” advised Mr Narint Chomphuphuang, an entomologist at the Science Faculty of the Chulalongkorn University.

Although the Mediterranean recluse spider has now been confirmed discovered in the country, experts say that the public need not be alarmed as these spiders are known to be reclusive hence its name.

Habitually, it will only come out of its hiding place at night to feed and is not aggressive. Furthermore, they have very low breeding rates and have never been found anywhere near human residences.

No fatalities from being bitten by this spider have ever been reported in the country.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/147711


-- Thai PBS 2016-01-22

[connda]

All you need to start is two.

[NickJ]

They need to send in more teams and waste more money........

[phil2407]

If brought in from 2nd world war must be old spider - If they've found 1 you can guarantee there are more - these spiders don't live that long

[bangon04]

No Mediterranean recluse spiders found

"they have very low breeding rates and have never been found anywhere near human residences."

"No fatalities from being bitten by this spider have ever been reported in the country."

a good news non-story.....

next they can publish research proving that no man-eating Pangalin has ever cooked and eaten a Chinese woman.

Edited January 22, 2016 by bangon04

[DogNo1]

The brown recluse spider causes mayhem in southern California. Its venom can cause long-lasting whelts and a mild sickness for ten days or so. Maybe they are cousins?

[Loeilad]

Was it really? The Recluse - Mediterranean or the OTHER Brown Recluse are constantly mis-identified - almost all reports turn out to be apocryphal .....e.g. the Brown recluse doesn't exist in California.....yet doctors have misdiagnosed hundreds of bites alleged to be from this creature

 

"Despite co-occurrence with humans for millennia, there is only a single report of a human fatality linked to a bite from this species, a case report from 2016 in which no spider was captured for a confirmed identification, and in which the victim suffered from an autoimmune disorder" - wiki.

[Loeilad]

On 1/23/2016 at 1:57 AM, DogNo1 said:

The brown recluse spider causes mayhem in southern California. Its venom can cause long-lasting whelts and a mild sickness for ten days or so. Maybe they are cousins?

no it doesn't.

Yes it is a cousin

[DogNo1]

I stand corrected.  After the UC Riverside research, I am convinced that no brown recluse spiders live in California.  A friend was bitten by a spider that she identified as a brown recluse.  I didn't see the spider but after reading the research and considering her symptoms, it seems possible that she was bitten by an immature black widow which apparently has brown and white stripes.  They don't become black until they mature.  Thanks to Loeilad for setting me straight.

[DogNo1]

For those interested, here's the link:  http://spiders.ucr.edu/myth.html

[Loeilad]

I would be hugely skeptical about this discovery too....there are incidents of "isoalted" colonies of these aimals, which don't spread outside a small environment b ut I'd suggest that it is FAR more likely to be misidentification. Just the suggestion that it as "one of the most poisonous arachnids in the world" seems to indicate the scientist is getting carried away. to suggest it cam with prisoners of war over 70 years ago also seems a bit tenuous considering the root by which those poor people came to the area. There are hundreds of types of recluse - they may or may not be seriously venomous, the eyes (6) is the first indicator that they might be a Recluse - the "violin" is not.

 

 

[worgeordie]

Theres no Mediterranean recluse spiders in Kanchanaburi caves ,

as they are all in the Mediterranean area,problem solved.

"Bad spiders out, Good spiders in"

regards worgeordie

Edited October 22, 2016 by worgeordie