62 Anthony Harris and Alison Durry

Some reactions to bites by of the genus Uliodon (Zoropsidae) in southern New Zealand. Anthony C Harris1, Alison Durry2 1 Otago Museum, PO Box 6202, Dunedin 9059. Email: [email protected] 2 9, Mopanui St., Purakanui, RD1, Dunedin

Native huntsman spiders of the genus Uliodon L. Koch 1873 (family Zoropsidae) comprise large, cribellate spiders, 10.7-22mm long, predominately grey, with two longitudinal rows of 4-5 round spots on the opisthosoma; the inner side of the pedipalp is usually bright orange on live males. The spiders are handsome and are relatively common throughout New Zealand. Three species have been described but a further 20 undescribed species probably occur (Paquin, Vink, Duperre, 2010; Raven and Stumkat, 2003). Uliodon species can inflict painful bites of variable severity. Often there are no long term consequences; however necrosis may occur around the bite marks leaving scars that persist for over two years. The bad reaction reported by Watt (1971) resembles a few accounts reported to A. Harris at the Otago Museum over the years.

The first published report of a severe reaction from the bite of a Uliodon species may be that of S. Edward (1881). The following reactions were reported from Otago residents who were bitten by Uliodon spiders:

In 2013 and 2014, A. Harris identified a Uliodon from excellent photographs as well as the actual specimen for Mrs. Alison Durry following a severe reaction when she was bitten. On 29 March 2013, while sitting on the ground and clearing a vegetable garden at Purakanui (DN), Mrs A. Durry felt a bite on the back of

The Weta 47:62-66 63 her lower leg and then a second bite lower down on the same leg, through a sock. She reacted severely to the first bite several hours

Figure 1. Uliodon sp. From North Dunedin. Scale in mm. later. The second bite remained as two tiny puncture marks. The reaction to the first bite went systemic; she has still not fully recovered one year later. Her leg became numb and has remained so for over a year, and she still has a large 34mm x 36mm swelling on her shin. The lump initially came up as a large blister. The reaction also affected her kidneys and her blood pressure went up immediately. She suffered swollen skin, muscle pain and stiff joints. Many of her symptoms resemble those recorded by Watt (1971). A general practitioner with an interest in spiders (Dr Peter Rodwell, Enfield, Oamaru) informed her that her reaction was very severe because she suffered from chronic pancreatitis. It is possible that the second bite produced no reaction because the spider’s poison sac had been emptied during the first bite.

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64 Anthony Harris and Alison Durry

Mr Stanley Durry (Mrs A. Durry’s husband) was bitten by a Uliodon spider indoors at Purakanui on 10 April 2008. The spider was in a shirt and bit him when he put on the shirt. He experienced no reaction from the bite. (A. Harris identified this spider from an excellent photograph.)

In March 2013 Ms Sonia Kilner was bitten by a Uliodon spider at Waitaki Bridge, Hilderthorp, Oamaru and experienced a moderate reaction. Mr Peter Whitlock of Waitaki Bridge, Hilderthorp, Oamaru was bitten on the leg by a Uliodon spider in March 2013 while gardening. He experienced a severe reaction, similar to Mrs. A. Durry’s reaction. Mr Whitlock was bitten again on 9 April 2014, when a Uliodon spider that was in the car bit him on the leg while he was driving and he once more experienced a severe reaction.

In March 2013 Mrs Frances Whitlock of Waitaki Bridge, Hilderthorp was bitten and suffered a moderate but painful reaction.

As it may be the first record of a Uliodon bite and resembles accounts given to A Harris by Otago residents, Mr. S. Edward’s letter from the Otago Witness, Issue 1560, 1 October 1881, page 12, is given below:

“SPIDER BITES. To the editor. Sir,-With your permission I will relate to your readers the results of a spider’s bite that I received about twelve months ago. The spider that bit me was in the bedclothes. I went to bed as usual, and was about closing my eyes to sleep when suddenly I felt something on the top of the ankle bone as if there was had been a red-hot iron pressed on to it. The heat stopped for a very short time, perhaps for about two or three minutes, but only to start again as something far worse. It commenced in shocks, and between the shocks the ankle was almost

The Weta 47:62-66 65 as well as it is now, but all the time I was in terror of the pain coming on again. At first there were only a few seconds between the shocks, but the intervals gradually got longer and the shocks became weaker until they stopped altogether, and that was in about ten days after I received the bite. The first night I could not sleep, and the next I slept a little towards the morning, having been working hard all the time, and being done up for want of sleep. The bite was on the top of a blood vessel, and the shocks seemed to go up and down the blood vessel, about five inches on each side of the bite; the foot was all swollen, and the veins were tight, like a person’s finger, especially the vein which had been bitten. The pain was quite different to any other pain, seeming like a mad thing, and coming as quick as lightning. I am quite satisfied that had it got into my blood properly it would have sent me mad right enough, and that very soon, too. I do not think the spiders would harm anyone unless they got jammed. I only wonder more people do not suffer by them, for they are very numerous. The Maoris say if the black spider bites a man he will die; but this one was not a black one-it was a large grey one. Nevertheless, I believe they are deadly poisonous.

I am, &, S. EDWARD. Round Hill, September 12th.”

O’Donnell’s (1983) review of New Zealand spider bites on humans mentions two records of Miturga (=Uliodon), including J.C. Watt (1971). He also described a Uliodon (as Uliodon) bite which had no effect on a Wanganui man.

In conclusion, it can be stated that there is a long history of Uliodon species inflicting severe (but never fatal) bites. Several people have experienced symptoms similar those described by Watt (1971). Humans clearly react differently to Uliodon bites, some people being unaffected. Nevertheless, because some individuals

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66 Anthony Harris and Alison Durry experience very severe reactions for over a year, Uliodon species should be treated with caution.

References

Edward, S. 1881. Spider Bites. Otago Witness, issue 1550, 1 October 1881, p. 12.

O’Donnell M. 1983. A review of records of spider bites on humans in New Zealand including some previously unpublished records. The Weta 6(2): 72-74.

Paquin P, Vink Cor J, Dupérré N. 2010. Spiders of New Zealand. Annotated family key & species list. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln, New Zealand. 118 p.

Raven RJ, Stumkat K. 2003. Problem solving in the spider families , Ctenidae and (Araneae) in Australia and New Zealand. Journal of Arachnology 33, 135-152.

Watt JC. 1971. The toxic effects of the bite of a clubionid spider. New Zealand Entomologist 5(1): 87-90.