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The katipo (''Latrodectus katipo'') is an endangered species of spider native to New Zealand. It is a member of the genus ''Latrodectus'', along with the Australian redback spider (''L. hasseltii''), and the North American black widow spiders. The species is venomous to humans, capable of delivering a comparatively dangerous spider bite. Katipo is a Māori name and means "night-stinger". It is a small to medium-sized spider with the female having a round black or brown pea-sized body. Red katipo females, found in the South Island and the lower half of the North Island, are always black, and have a distinctive red stripe bordered in white on their bodies. In black katipo females, found in the upper half of the North Island, this stripe is absent, pale, yellow, or replaced with cream-coloured blotches. The two forms were previously thought to be separate species, but 2008 research determined they were the same species with different colouration. The male is much smaller than the female and quite different in appearance, being white with black stripes and red diamond-shaped markings. Katipo have a narrow habitat, being only found living in sand dunes close to the seashore. They range throughout most of coastal New Zealand, but are not found at the southernmost regions. Spinning an irregular tangled web amongst dune plants or other debris, they feed mainly on ground dwelling insects. After mating in August or September, the female produces five or six egg sacs in November or December. The spiderlings hatch during January and February and disperse into surrounding plants. Due to the loss of habitat and colonisation of their natural habitat by other exotic spiders, the katipo is being faced with extinction. A bite from the katipo produces a toxic syndrome known as latrodectism. Symptoms include extreme pain and potentially systemic effects, such as hypertension, seizure, or coma. Bites are rare and deaths have not been reported since the 19th century. An antivenom is available in New Zealand for treatment. The katipo is particularly notable in New Zealand as the nation is almost entirely devoid of dangerous native wildlife. This unique status has led to the spider becoming well known, despite sightings being very rare. ==Taxonomy== Although the 'kātĕpo' was reported to the Linnean Society as early as 1855, the katipo was formally described as ''Latrodectus katipo'' by L. Powell in 1870. Spiders of the genus ''Latrodectus'' have a worldwide distribution and include all of the commonly known widow spiders, namely the North American black widow spider (''Latrodectus mactans''), the brown widow (''Latrodectus geometricus'') and the European black widow (''Latrodectus tredecimguttatus''). The katipo's closest relative is the Australian redback spider (''Latrodectus hasseltii'') ''Latrodectus katipo'' and ''L. atritus'' (black katipo) were previously thought to be two separate species,〔 however, research has shown that there is only one species, ''L. katipo'', and colour variation in that species is clinal over latitude and correlates significantly with mean annual temperature.〔 The katipo are so closely related to the redback that they were at one stage thought to be a subspecies. It was proposed that the katipo be named ''Latrodectus hasseltii katipo''. Further research has shown that the katipo is distinct from the redback, having slight structural differences and striking differences in habitat preference, and it remains its own species.〔〔〔 The katipo's family Theridiidae has a large number of species both in New Zealand and worldwide and are commonly known as tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders or comb-footed spiders. The common name, katipo, is a Māori name and means night stinger; it is derived from two words, ''kakati'' (to sting), and ''po'' (the night). This name was apparently given to the spider due to the Māori belief that the spiders bite at night.〔 Other common names include red katipo, black katipo and New Zealand's redback. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Katipo」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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