Medicinal Widow Spider (Latrodectus sp.) from Islamabad, Pakistan | Field Documentation

A female widow spider belonging to the genus Latrodectus was documented in an urban area of Islamabad, Pakistan. The spider exhibited characteristic theridiid behavior, including wall crawling, suspension on multiple fine silk strands, and rapid ground locomotion after gentle relocation.

Based on detailed morphological comparison, the specimen does not conform to known diagnostic features of the Australian redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) or other described Old World species. Therefore, identification is conservatively retained at genus level (Latrodectus sp.) pending genitalic or molecular confirmation.

Widow spiders are medically important due to the presence of α-latrotoxin in their venom; however, species-level misidentification can lead to scientific misinformation. This video presents a strict, evidence-based field record intended for education, documentation, and future taxonomic reference.

📍 Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
📷 Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V
🎼 Music: YouTube Audio Library
🎼 Date: 21 November, 2023

⚠️ Note:
The term “Medicinal” is used here in reference to medical importance (latrodectism) and toxin research literature, not for traditional or therapeutic use.

📚 References

• Garb, J.E. et al. (2004). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31:1127–1142
• Levi, H.W. (1959). Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 78:7–43
• Nicholson, G.M. & Graudins, A. (2002). Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology, 29:785–794
• Jelinek, G.A. (1997). Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 8:226–231

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