Review of the Spider Families, with Notes on the Lesser-Known Poisonous Forms

Abstract

All groups of spiders the venom of which is known to be more or less toxic to man and other animals are reviewed. Full information on the danger of forms belonging to groups the toxicology of which has been less thoroughly investigated is also given. Toxicological aspects of the more intensively studied groups are dealt with in separate chapters of the book. ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT: All groups of spiders the venom of which is known to be more or less toxic to man or other animals (including other arthropods) or both are reviewed. The importance of venom as the main aggressive weapon of this essentially predatory group is emphasised.