Hexathelidae
Encyclopedia
The spider
family Hexathelidae, the only family in the super-family Hexatheloidea, is one of two families (along with Dipluridae
) of spiders known as funnel-webs. This order is sometimes incorrectly referred to (in unknown references) as the venomous funnel-web tarantulas, due to the inclusion of the Australasian funnel-web spider
s, including the notorious Sydney funnel-web spider
(Atrax robustus) but most specimens in Hexathelidae are not dangerous to humans.
These spiders are medium-to-large in size, with body lengths ranging from 1 cm to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 inches). The body is typically three times longer than it is wide. They are darkly colored, ranging from black to brown, with a glossy carapace covering the front part of the body. Like the related diplurid
spiders, the hexathelids have generally long spinnerets; this is especially true of A. robustus. The eyes of these spiders are close together.
Their moderately long posterior spinnerets and other features make the Hexathelidae appear similar to the Dipluridae
, and were considered a subfamily of the latter until 1980.
Like other Mygalomorphae (also called the Orthognatha, an infraorder
of spider
s which includes the true tarantula
s), these spiders have fang
s which point straight down and do not cross each other (see also Araneomorphae
). They have ample poison
glands that lie entirely within their chelicerae
. Their chelicerae and fangs are large and powerful. Although they are rather small compared to the true tarantula
s, as venomous specimens they should not be handled without taking substantial precautions because their fangs have been known to penetrate fingernails and soft shoes, resulting in dangerous bites.
, New Zealand
, and Asia
. One species is known in the Mediterranean
region and two from South America
. Two species exist in Central Africa
.
Hexathelids typically live in burrows, which are constructed in the ground or in tree hollows. An elaborately constructed burrow entrance is common. These spiders construct a funnel
shaped web
and lurk for prey
in the small end of the funnel. They frequently search for a place to nest under human dwellings
, or under nearby rocks
, log
s, or other similar objects. They are most active at night. Some build in rainforest, both in the soil and in hollows on trees; others build entirely in sand, e.g., Fraser Island, southeastern Queensland. In Australia, these spiders tend to prefer cooler climates and hence are found primarily in rainforest
Most species live in rainforest
s, but they also exist in other habitats, from sea level to high up in the mountains.
spiders —Atrax
, Illawarra and Hadronyche of Australia
, and Macrothele
, which contains some species considered dangerous in Taiwan
and parts of eastern Asia
.
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
family Hexathelidae, the only family in the super-family Hexatheloidea, is one of two families (along with Dipluridae
Dipluridae
Funnel-web tarantulas , are a group of spiders in the infraorder Mygalomorphae, that have two pairs of booklungs, and chelicerae that move up and down in a stabbing motion...
) of spiders known as funnel-webs. This order is sometimes incorrectly referred to (in unknown references) as the venomous funnel-web tarantulas, due to the inclusion of the Australasian funnel-web spider
Australasian funnel-web spider
Australian funnel-web spiders are venomous spiders of the family Hexathelidae, represented by 31 described species of Hadronyche, four Bymainiella spp., two Teranodes and monotyptic genera Plesiothera fentoni and Ilawarra whisharti...
s, including the notorious Sydney funnel-web spider
Sydney funnel-web spider
The Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus, is an Australian funnel-web spider usually found within a radius of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.-Description:...
(Atrax robustus) but most specimens in Hexathelidae are not dangerous to humans.
Description
Dipluridae
Funnel-web tarantulas , are a group of spiders in the infraorder Mygalomorphae, that have two pairs of booklungs, and chelicerae that move up and down in a stabbing motion...
spiders, the hexathelids have generally long spinnerets; this is especially true of A. robustus. The eyes of these spiders are close together.
Their moderately long posterior spinnerets and other features make the Hexathelidae appear similar to the Dipluridae
Dipluridae
Funnel-web tarantulas , are a group of spiders in the infraorder Mygalomorphae, that have two pairs of booklungs, and chelicerae that move up and down in a stabbing motion...
, and were considered a subfamily of the latter until 1980.
Like other Mygalomorphae (also called the Orthognatha, an infraorder
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
of spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
s which includes the true tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...
s), these spiders have fang
Fang
Fang is a mammal's canine tooth.Fang may also refer to:* A snake's poison-injecting tooth: see snake venom* Fang people, in Central Africa* Fang language, spoken by Fang people...
s which point straight down and do not cross each other (see also Araneomorphae
Araneomorphae
The Araneomorphae are a suborder of spiders. They are distinguished by having fangs that oppose each other and cross in a pinching action, in contrast to the Mygalomorphae , which have fangs that are nearly parallel in alignment.- Distinguishing characteristics :Note the difference in the...
). They have ample poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
glands that lie entirely within their chelicerae
Chelicerae
The chelicerae are mouthparts of the Chelicerata, an arthropod subphylum that includes arachnids, Merostomata , and Pycnogonida . Chelicerae are pointed appendages which are used to grasp food, and are found in place of the chewing mandibles most other arthropods have...
. Their chelicerae and fangs are large and powerful. Although they are rather small compared to the true tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...
s, as venomous specimens they should not be handled without taking substantial precautions because their fangs have been known to penetrate fingernails and soft shoes, resulting in dangerous bites.
Range and habitat
Most hexathelids are found in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. One species is known in the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
region and two from South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Two species exist in Central Africa
Central Africa
Central Africa is a core region of the African continent which includes Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda....
.
Hexathelids typically live in burrows, which are constructed in the ground or in tree hollows. An elaborately constructed burrow entrance is common. These spiders construct a funnel
Funnel
A funnel is a pipe with a wide, often conical mouth and a narrow stem. It is used to channel liquid or fine-grained substances into containers with a small opening. Without a funnel, spillage would occur....
shaped web
Spider web
A spider web, spiderweb, spider's web or cobweb is a device built by a spider out of proteinaceous spider silk extruded from its spinnerets....
and lurk for prey
Predation
In ecology, predation describes a biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey . Predators may or may not kill their prey prior to feeding on them, but the act of predation always results in the death of its prey and the eventual absorption of the prey's tissue through consumption...
in the small end of the funnel. They frequently search for a place to nest under human dwellings
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
, or under nearby rocks
Rock (geology)
In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...
, log
Lumber
Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
s, or other similar objects. They are most active at night. Some build in rainforest, both in the soil and in hollows on trees; others build entirely in sand, e.g., Fraser Island, southeastern Queensland. In Australia, these spiders tend to prefer cooler climates and hence are found primarily in rainforest
Most species live in rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
s, but they also exist in other habitats, from sea level to high up in the mountains.
Medical significance
There are four genera known to contain medically significantSpider bite
A spider bite is an injury resulting from the bites of spiders or other closely related arachnids.Spiders are active hunters and rely heavily on their bites to paralyze and kill their prey before consuming it. They also bite in self defense...
spiders —Atrax
Australasian funnel-web spider
Australian funnel-web spiders are venomous spiders of the family Hexathelidae, represented by 31 described species of Hadronyche, four Bymainiella spp., two Teranodes and monotyptic genera Plesiothera fentoni and Ilawarra whisharti...
, Illawarra and Hadronyche of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and Macrothele
Macrothele
Macrothele is a genus of mygalomorph spiders.Most species occur in Asia from India to Japan and Java, with four found in Africa, and two in Europe.-Description:...
, which contains some species considered dangerous in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and parts of eastern Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Genera
The categorization into subfamilies follows Raven, 1985.- Hexathelinae Simon, 1892
- AtraxAustralasian funnel-web spiderAustralian funnel-web spiders are venomous spiders of the family Hexathelidae, represented by 31 described species of Hadronyche, four Bymainiella spp., two Teranodes and monotyptic genera Plesiothera fentoni and Ilawarra whisharti...
O. P-CambridgeOctavius Pickard-CambridgeThe Reverend Octavius Pickard-Cambridge FRS was an English clergyman and zoologist.Pickard-Cambridge was born in Bloxworth rectory, Dorset, the fifth son of Revd George Pickard, rector and squire of Bloxworth: the family changed their name to Pickard-Cambridge in 1848...
, 1877 — AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... - Bymainiella Raven, 1978 — Australia
- HadronycheAustralasian funnel-web spiderAustralian funnel-web spiders are venomous spiders of the family Hexathelidae, represented by 31 described species of Hadronyche, four Bymainiella spp., two Teranodes and monotyptic genera Plesiothera fentoni and Ilawarra whisharti...
L. Koch, 1873 — Australia - Hexathele AussererAnton AussererAnton Ausserer was an Austrian naturalist specialising in spiders.- Selected publications :...
, 1871 — New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... - IllawarraIllawarraIllawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
Gray, 2010 — Australia - Mediothele Raven & PlatnickNorman I. PlatnickNorman I. Platnick is an American arachnologist, and the Peter J. Solomon Family Curator of the invertebrate zoology department of the American Museum of Natural History. A 1973 Ph.D...
, 1978 — ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far... - Paraembolides Raven, 1980 — Australia
- Rosamygale † Selden & Gall, 1992 — (fossil, TriassicTriassicThe Triassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Mya . As the first period of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic follows the Permian and is followed by the Jurassic. Both the start and end of the Triassic are marked by major extinction events...
)
-
-
- Rosamygale grauvogeli † (Selden & Gall, 1992)
- Scotinoecus Simon, 1892 — Chile, ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
- Teranodes Raven, 1985 — Australia
- Scotinoecus Simon, 1892 — Chile, Argentina
- Rosamygale grauvogeli † (Selden & Gall, 1992)
-
- Macrothelinae Simon, 1892
- MacrotheleMacrotheleMacrothele is a genus of mygalomorph spiders.Most species occur in Asia from India to Japan and Java, with four found in Africa, and two in Europe.-Description:...
Ausserer, 1871 — AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population... - PorrhothelePorrhothelePorrhothele is a spider genus with five described species, all endemic to New Zealand.Before 1980, this genus was considered to belong to the family Dipluridae.-Species:* Porrhothele antipodiana...
Simon, 1892 — New Zealand
- Plesiothelinae Raven, 1980
- Plesiothele Raven, 1978 — TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
See also
- List of Hexathelidae species
- Australian funnel-web spider
- Spider families