noun. A venomous spider of the family Theridiidœ the Latrodectus katipo, of a black color with a marked red spot, found in New Zealand usually among the rushes and sedges near the sea-shore. The bite of this spider is dangerous and sometimes fatal.

noun. A venomous spider, Latrodectus katipo, endemic to New Zealand.

"The "katipo," found in sedges on the beach of New Zealand, is dreaded by the Maoris, who traditionally refuse to sleep nearer than half a stone's throw from the water, that being the extent of range of the spider."

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