| Loxosceles tenochtitlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| General information | |||
| Universe | Real Life | ||
| Aliases | Aztec Recluse (here on All Species only) | ||
| Classification | Loxosceles tenochtitlan | ||
| Species type | Violin Spider | ||
| Homeworld | Earth | ||
| Intelligence | Non-Sapient | ||
| Biochemistry | Carbon-based lifeform | ||
| Discovered | 2019 | ||
| Biological information | |||
| Reproduction | Sexual; lays eggs | ||
| Locomotion | Octapodal | ||
| Feeding behavior | Liquivore | ||
| Prey | Humans | ||
| Predators | None | ||
| Lineage information | |||
| Cultural information | |||
| Alignment | True Neutral | ||
| Sociocultral characteristics | |||
| Scientific taxonomy | |||
| Planet | Earth | ||
| Domain | Eukaryota | ||
| Kingdom | Animalia | ||
| Subkingdom | Eumetazoa | ||
| Infrakingdom | Bilateria | ||
| Superphylum | Deuterostomia | ||
| Phylum | Arthropoda | ||
| Class | Arachnida< small>(Arachnids) | ||
| Order | Araneae (Spiders) | ||
| Suborder | Opisthothelae | ||
| Infraorder | Araneomorphae (Fangs point diagonally forward and cross in a pinching action) | ||
| Superfamily | Scytodoidea | ||
| Family | Sicariidae | ||
| Genus | Loxosceles | ||
| Species | tenochtitlan | ||
| Other information | |||
| Status | Not studied | ||
| First sighting | 2019 | ||
Loxosceles tenochtitlan is a species of necrotic recluse spider indigenous to the Valley of Mexico, a mountainous and volcanic plateau in central Mexico.
Etymology[]
The species name, tenochtitlan, is intended as a homae to the capital city of the ancient Aztec Empire, known as the city of Tenochtitlan.
Physiology[]
L. tenochtitlans can be identified by their dark brown coloration not being striking in appearance, in stark contrast to other spider species found in Mexico. Its dorsal patterning also forms a very visible violin shape.
They are venomous as all spiders are but this bite is not fatal to humans — however it is considered to be a nasty bite and does require medical attention to take proper care of due to their necrotic venom. This bite will start out as a relatively painless sore that will turn purple and pink, making it easy to confuse for a skin infection. The condition, known as loxoscelism, is characterized by the now-necrotic wound persisting for a couple of months. While serious illness or death is rare from recluse bites, it can require plastic surgery to repair the damaged region, and the same is thought to be true with tenochtitlan.