Major components
Latrotoxins (Latrodectus) target presynaptic neuronal calcium channels, producing systemic neuromuscular symptoms in mammals.
Sphingomyelinase D (Loxosceles) is the principal dermonecrotic factor, cleaving membrane lipids and triggering complement-mediated inflammation.
Most other US spider venoms contain insecticidal peptides with no clinically significant mammalian effect.
References
- [1]Spider venoms as a source of pharmacologically active compounds - Toxins (MDPI). Accessed June 2026.
Related in Biology
- Spider anatomySpiders (order Araneae) have two body segments - the cephalothorax (prosoma) and abdomen (opisthosoma) - connected by a narrow pedicel.
- Spider silk and web typesAll spiders produce silk, but not all build webs.
- Spider life cycle and reproductionSpiders develop through egg, spiderling, and adult stages.
- Spider vision and sensesMost spiders have poor vision and rely on vibration and touch.
- Spider respiration: book lungs and tracheaeSpiders breathe through book lungs, tracheae, or both, depending on lineage.
- Molting and growthSpiders grow by molting their exoskeleton.