What Lurks Under What Lurks Under the Toilet Seat…the Toilet Seat…

FactFactor Fiction?or Fiction?

Story ONEStory ONE

Ambushed!Ambushed!

COURIER MAIL - Wednesday, 11 July, 2001: An Alice Springs man who was bitten on the bottom more than 20 times by a Red-back spider needed 16 doses of anti-venom to survive.

Darren Meehan, 25, from Alice Springs, Australia believes he may have caught the Red-back spider in his jeans during a visit to an outside toilet. When he went to bed that night, it too ventured with him. While sleeping, he most likely turned over into a position that threatened or irritated the spider causing it to bite him. He claims to be a rather heavy sleeper and so did not feel the bite. The spider feeling threatened, kept attacking until he eventually switched positions. Mr. Meehan said he slept through the attack and it was not until the next morning that he found more than 20 angry red bite marks on his right buttock. Nearly 48 hours later, he was doubled over in extreme pain and taken to the hospital.

Mr. Meehan now holds the record for the most anti-venom ever injected into a person in Australia. He was attacked by the Red-back spider as he lay sleeping in his bed in Alice Springs last month, but he was still getting shots of anti-venom on Monday as he has been unable to shake off the effects of the huge amount of poison in his system.

The head of Alice Springs Hospital's emergency department said it was the worst Red-back bite ever recorded in Australia. Emergency physician, Dr. Elizabeth Mowatt said, "This is the biggest bite I know of on record." The most serious Red-back bite previously recorded only required eight doses of anti-venom.

After a total of 20 anti-venom doses, Mr. Meehan is now recovering from his ordeal and the bites.

Story ONEStory ONE

Ambushed!Ambushed!

Fact…..or …..Fiction?Fact…..or …..Fiction?

Fact!Fact!

Truth!Truth!

Story One: Ambushed!Story One: Ambushed!

From as far as research can tell this From as far as research can tell this gentleman’s story is true. gentleman’s story is true.

It was not published in a scientific It was not published in a scientific journal, but was published in a local journal, but was published in a local paper. The article can be found on: paper. The article can be found on:

http://www.spiderzrule.com/spider2.htmhttp://www.spiderzrule.com/spider2.htm

The Spiders and Toxic The Spiders and Toxic MechanismMechanism

Spider 1 (from story 1): Red-back Spider 1 (from story 1): Red-back Spider Spider Latrodectus hasseltiLatrodectus hasselti

Latrodectus hasseltiLatrodectus hasselti They are dangerous and can inject neurotoxin into bloodstream. They are dangerous and can inject neurotoxin into bloodstream.

~~250 people/ year bitten by male Red-backs and only a few hundred by female Red-backs. 250 people/ year bitten by male Red-backs and only a few hundred by female Red-backs. Females are slow moving and generally leave no sign of web. The most common bites emerge Females are slow moving and generally leave no sign of web. The most common bites emerge when accidentally caught in clothes and then pressed against the person’s skin.when accidentally caught in clothes and then pressed against the person’s skin.

Only 1 death reported since anti-venom discovery in 1956. Only 1 death reported since anti-venom discovery in 1956.

This is one of the few species where the male assists the female in sexual cannibalism. During This is one of the few species where the male assists the female in sexual cannibalism. During mating the male will place its abdomen in the females mouth. The female will begin to mating the male will place its abdomen in the females mouth. The female will begin to cannibalize before mating is over. After mating the female will usually not mate again. cannibalize before mating is over. After mating the female will usually not mate again.

They make a good pet! In September of 2004, inmates at Grafton maximum security prison in They make a good pet! In September of 2004, inmates at Grafton maximum security prison in New South Whales were found keeping Red-back spiders as pets. Supposedly they were New South Whales were found keeping Red-back spiders as pets. Supposedly they were milking them for their venom for a high but no evidence supports this theory. milking them for their venom for a high but no evidence supports this theory.

They are closely related to the black and brown widow spiders, found in North America, and They are closely related to the black and brown widow spiders, found in North America, and katipo spiders. katipo spiders.

They are infamous and even have a songThey are infamous and even have a song……

MechanismMechanism Similar mechanism to the Black widow neurotoxin: LatrotoxinSimilar mechanism to the Black widow neurotoxin: Latrotoxin

Targets the synaptic bulbs of the Acetyl Choline by dissolving Targets the synaptic bulbs of the Acetyl Choline by dissolving in the synaptic bulbs of Acetyl Choline Neurons and allows in the synaptic bulbs of Acetyl Choline Neurons and allows Ca+ effluxCa+ efflux

Ca+ ion is used by the body as a signal for a high action Ca+ ion is used by the body as a signal for a high action potential arriving. This conveys a message to release the potential arriving. This conveys a message to release the neurotransmitter. neurotransmitter.

The neurotransmitter causes the synaptic gap to flood and bind The neurotransmitter causes the synaptic gap to flood and bind with high affinity to Acetyl Choline, thus opening the ion with high affinity to Acetyl Choline, thus opening the ion channels. channels.

EffectsEffects It causes hyper-It causes hyper-

excitability of muscle excitability of muscle fibers and prolonged fibers and prolonged muscle contraction.muscle contraction.

It is extremely It is extremely painful and death painful and death can occur if not can occur if not given anti-venom. given anti-venom. (Usually spiders use (Usually spiders use dry bite or very little dry bite or very little toxin). toxin).

Death: Death: The diaphragm and The diaphragm and

abdominal muscles abdominal muscles contract and can contract and can not relaxnot relax can not can not breathebreathe commacomma Death Death

Story TWOStory TWO

The Two-Striped Telamonia The Two-Striped Telamonia SpiderSpider

WARNING: From the University of North FloridaWARNING: From the University of North Florida

An article by Dr. Beverly Clark, in the Journal of the United Medical Association (JUMA)An article by Dr. Beverly Clark, in the Journal of the United Medical Association (JUMA)

The mystery behind a recent spate of deaths has been solved. If you haven't already The mystery behind a recent spate of deaths has been solved. If you haven't already heard about it in the news, here is what happened. Three women in north Florida turned up at heard about it in the news, here is what happened. Three women in north Florida turned up at hospitals over a 5-day period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting, followed hospitals over a 5-day period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting, followed by muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally death. There were no outward signs of trauma. by muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally death. There were no outward signs of trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood. These women did not know each other, and seemed Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood. These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in common. It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same to have nothing in common. It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same restaurant (Olive Garden) within days of their deaths. The health department descended on the restaurant (Olive Garden) within days of their deaths. The health department descended on the restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and air conditioning were all inspected and tested, restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and air conditioning were all inspected and tested, to no avail.to no avail.

The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the hospital with The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the hospital with similar symptoms. She told doctors that she had been on vacation, and had only gone to the similar symptoms. She told doctors that she had been on vacation, and had only gone to the restaurant to pick up her check. She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the restaurant to pick up her check. She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the restroom. That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had read, drove out to the restroom. That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had read, drove out to the restaurant, went into the restroom, and lifted the toilet seat. Under the seat, out of normal view, restaurant, went into the restroom, and lifted the toilet seat. Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider. The spider was captured and brought back to the lab, where it was was a small spider. The spider was captured and brought back to the lab, where it was determined to be the Two-Striped Telamonia (determined to be the Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiataTelamonia dimidiata), so named because of its ), so named because of its reddened flesh color. This spider's venom is extremely toxic, but can take several days to take reddened flesh color. This spider's venom is extremely toxic, but can take several days to take effect. They live in cold, dark, damp climates, and toilet rims provide just the right atmosphere.effect. They live in cold, dark, damp climates, and toilet rims provide just the right atmosphere.

Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital emergency room. Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital emergency room. Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been away on business, had taken a flight from Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been away on business, had taken a flight from Indonesia, changing planes in Singapore, before returning home. He did not visit Olive Garden, Indonesia, changing planes in Singapore, before returning home. He did not visit Olive Garden, while there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was determined to be a puncture while there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was determined to be a puncture wound, on his right buttock. Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in wound, on his right buttock. Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in India. The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection of the toilets of all India. The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection of the toilets of all flights from India, and discovered the Two-Striped Telamonia spider's nests on 4 different planes! flights from India, and discovered the Two-Striped Telamonia spider's nests on 4 different planes! It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.

So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to check for spiders. It can So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to check for spiders. It can save your life! And please pass this on to everyone you care about.save your life! And please pass this on to everyone you care about.

Story TWOStory TWO

The Two-Striped Telamonia The Two-Striped Telamonia SpiderSpider

Fact…… or …… Fiction?Fact…… or …… Fiction?

Fiction!Fiction!

Hoax!Hoax!

False!False!

This story is actually a re-produced story from a 1999 This story is actually a re-produced story from a 1999 e-mail circulation, which was cleverly designed to e-mail circulation, which was cleverly designed to replicate real places and names. This story has been replicate real places and names. This story has been replicated at least two times (once in 2002 and again replicated at least two times (once in 2002 and again in 2003). There are slight alterations made to this in 2003). There are slight alterations made to this story in each tall tail:story in each tall tail:

1.) The spider used:1.) The spider used: 1999 Story- South American Ambush Spider, 1999 Story- South American Ambush Spider, Arachnius Arachnius

gluteus. gluteus. A.K.A Blush SpiderA.K.A Blush Spider2002 Story- Two-Striped Telamonia spider, 2002 Story- Two-Striped Telamonia spider, Telamonia Telamonia

dimidiatadimidiata. . 2003 Story- Two-Striped Telamonia spider, 2003 Story- Two-Striped Telamonia spider, Telamonia Telamonia

dimidiatadimidiata. .

2.) The location of 3 women that were hospitalized:2.) The location of 3 women that were hospitalized:1999 Story- Chicago 1999 Story- Chicago 2002 Story- Florida2002 Story- Florida2003 Story- South Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 2003 Story- South Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

3.) Spider’s location in the U.S.:3.) Spider’s location in the U.S.:1999 Story- Big Chappies at Blare Airport1999 Story- Big Chappies at Blare Airport2002 Story- Olive Garden2002 Story- Olive Garden2003 Story- Hart's Family Restaurant 2003 Story- Hart's Family Restaurant

4.) Lawyer: 4.) Lawyer: 1999 Story- he took a flight from NYC and changed planes in 1999 Story- he took a flight from NYC and changed planes in

Chicago. Chicago. 2002 Story- he took a plane from Indonesia and changed planes in 2002 Story- he took a plane from Indonesia and changed planes in

Singapore.Singapore.2003 Story- he was from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and took a flight 2003 Story- he was from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and took a flight

from Clarks Sumit, changing planes in Wilkes-Barre.from Clarks Sumit, changing planes in Wilkes-Barre.

5.) Flight Investigator's analysis of spider’s 5.) Flight Investigator's analysis of spider’s originality:originality:

1999 Story- South America1999 Story- South America

2002 Story- India2002 Story- India

2003 Story- India2003 Story- India

The CulpritThe CulpritSteve HeardSteve Heard

The CulpritThe CulpritThe creator of the hoax contacted The University of California Department of The creator of the hoax contacted The University of California Department of

Entomology. The following was taken from Entomology. The following was taken from http://www.entomology.ucr.edu/http://www.entomology.ucr.edu/

He wrote the hoax to show that 1) people are gullible, 2) that the internet He wrote the hoax to show that 1) people are gullible, 2) that the internet is a frighteningly fast way to spread misinformation, 3) that people is a frighteningly fast way to spread misinformation, 3) that people forward on information without checking the veracity of the information.  forward on information without checking the veracity of the information.  He never expected this to spread so quickly and so widely.   He never expected this to spread so quickly and so widely.  

The hoax was purposely filled with incorrect information such that if the The hoax was purposely filled with incorrect information such that if the reader checked into any bit of the information, a red flag would arise reader checked into any bit of the information, a red flag would arise because there would be no credibility to the citation of information (no because there would be no credibility to the citation of information (no medical journal with that name, there is no spider named medical journal with that name, there is no spider named ArachniusArachnius, there , there is no Blare Airport, etc.)  is no Blare Airport, etc.) 

The account of the anatomy of the hoax is detailed in the following The account of the anatomy of the hoax is detailed in the following article:article:

Vetter, R. S. and P. K. Visscher.  2000. 2000.  Oh, what a tangled web we Vetter, R. S. and P. K. Visscher.  2000. 2000.  Oh, what a tangled web we weave: the anatomy of an internet spider hoax.  American Entomologist weave: the anatomy of an internet spider hoax.  American Entomologist 46: 221-223.46: 221-223.

Evidence: Hoax Claim vs. RealityEvidence: Hoax Claim vs. RealityClaimClaim HoaxHoax RealityReality

Published ArticlePublished Article Journal of United Medical Association Journal of United Medical Association Journal of the American Medical Association Journal of the American Medical Association

   (JUMA)(JUMA) (JAMA)(JAMA)

Spiders under Spiders under Spiders Under Commercial AirlineSpiders Under Commercial Airline Any public and or commercial restroom must Any public and or commercial restroom must

airplane toilet seatsairplane toilet seats toilet seats. toilet seats. abide by code and use chemicals in their abide by code and use chemicals in their

      lavatories, which are not compatible for spiderlavatories, which are not compatible for spider

      survival. survival.

Airline InspectorsAirline Inspectors Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB)Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) Civil Aeronautics Board- abolished in 1984Civil Aeronautics Board- abolished in 1984

        

Tone of articleTone of article Gossipy, casual, informal styleGossipy, casual, informal style COME ON! When have you ever read an articleCOME ON! When have you ever read an article

      published by a journal that you didn't have to getpublished by a journal that you didn't have to get

      a dictionary to understand? a dictionary to understand?

DeathsDeaths 3 female mortalities3 female mortalities No article in any Florida, Chicago, or Pennsylvania No article in any Florida, Chicago, or Pennsylvania

      paper relating to 3 consecutive spider bite deaths/ spiderspaper relating to 3 consecutive spider bite deaths/ spiders

      on an airplane between 1999-2007. on an airplane between 1999-2007.

Table 1: Data provided by SDSTAFF Doug: Straight Dope Science Advisory Board. <http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mspidertoilet.html>

The Spider and Toxic The Spider and Toxic MechanismMechanism

Spider 2 (from story 2): Spider 2 (from story 2): South American South American Ambush Spider, Ambush Spider, Arachnius gluteus. Arachnius gluteus. A.K.A A.K.A Blush SpiderBlush Spider

Any similarities…Gluteus maximus

Arachnius gluteusArachnius gluteus This spider does not actually exist. There is no spider This spider does not actually exist. There is no spider

namednamed: : Arachnius gluteusArachnius gluteus

The creator of the initial fabricated story in 1999 was The creator of the initial fabricated story in 1999 was attempting to be witty and humorous by having a attempting to be witty and humorous by having a spider that bites people on the butt have the name spider that bites people on the butt have the name Arachnius gluteusArachnius gluteus, Arachnius meaning spider, and , Arachnius meaning spider, and gluteus pertaining to the butt. gluteus pertaining to the butt.

This butt spider is a fabricated spider. This butt spider is a fabricated spider.

The Spiders and the Toxic The Spiders and the Toxic MechanismsMechanisms

Spider 3 (from story 2): Spider 3 (from story 2): Two-Striped Two-Striped Telamonia spider, Telamonia spider, Telamonia dimidiataTelamonia dimidiata. .

Telamonia dimidiataTelamonia dimidiata

This is in fact a real spider. However, its venom is not This is in fact a real spider. However, its venom is not poisonous. (Hence there will be no mechanism).poisonous. (Hence there will be no mechanism).

Family: Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)Family: Salticidae (Jumping Spiders) Habitat: Foliage in wooded areasHabitat: Foliage in wooded areas Distribution: Singapore, Indonesia, and IndiaDistribution: Singapore, Indonesia, and India

Male: 8-9mm

The 1st and 2nd legs are armed with thick bristles

Female 9-11mm

Taken Home MessageTaken Home Message

Most toilet seats have chemicals in Most toilet seats have chemicals in them that hinder spiders from them that hinder spiders from infesting them. infesting them.

If you find yourself in a rural setting, If you find yourself in a rural setting, or having to use an old Australian or having to use an old Australian “dunny” than lifting up the toilet seat “dunny” than lifting up the toilet seat might not be such a bad idea.might not be such a bad idea.

Not all the information on the internet Not all the information on the internet is fact. is fact.

THE ENDTHE END

This production has been brought to This production has been brought to you by: you by:

Tara KrausTara Kraus

References and PicturesReferences and Pictures Doug. 2003Doug. 2003. . The Straight Dope Science Advisory BoardThe Straight Dope Science Advisory Board

http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mspidertoilet.htmlhttp://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mspidertoilet.html

Christensen, Brett M. Hoax-Slayers. http://www.hoax-slayer.com/toilet-spider-hoax.htmlChristensen, Brett M. Hoax-Slayers. http://www.hoax-slayer.com/toilet-spider-hoax.html

Koh, Joseph K. H. 2000. A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders. Koh, Joseph K. H. 2000. A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders. BP Guide to Nature Series. BP Guide to Nature Series. http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/spiders/text/Telamonia_dimidiata.htmhttp://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/spiders/text/Telamonia_dimidiata.htm

The University of California Entomology Department Online. 2004. The University of California Entomology Department Online. 2004. http://spiders.ucr.edu/debunk.htmlhttp://spiders.ucr.edu/debunk.html

SpiderzRule. http://www.spiderzrule.com/spider2.htmSpiderzRule. http://www.spiderzrule.com/spider2.htm

Wilson, David. TWilson, David. The University of Queensland he University of Queensland http://www.kingsnake.com/toxinology/old/arachnid/spiders.htmlhttp://www.kingsnake.com/toxinology/old/arachnid/spiders.html

www.klo-klobal.de/dunny4-l.jpg (dunny picture 1)www.klo-klobal.de/dunny4-l.jpg (dunny picture 1) www.corporateoz.com (dunny road sign)www.corporateoz.com (dunny road sign) www.google .images (toilet pictures and butt images) www.google .images (toilet pictures and butt images)