Big Boy: the new giant and ultra-venomous spider discovered in Australia

© Anthony 🙂/Pexels

In the vicinity of Newcastle, 170 km north of Sydney, a team of researchers identified a new species of funnel-web spider of exceptional dimensions. A favorite land of arachnids (and other strange or dangerous creatures), Australia can therefore add this new little creature to its already quite extensive bestiary.

Scientists from the Australian Museum, Flinders University and the Leibniz Institute in Germany have officially recognized it under the name Atrax christensen.

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A giantess with unique characteristics

Affectionately dubbed ” Big Boy ” by the research team, this new species presents remarkable morphological characteristics that clearly distinguish it from its congeners. With a wingspan reaching 9.2 centimeters – a record confirmed by the specimen nicknamed Hemsworth, it far exceeds the dimensions of the Sydney funnel-web spider, which ranges in size from 1 to 5 centimeters.

Kane Christensen, former head of the arachnid section of the Australian Reptile Park, who identified the first specimens in the early 2000s, details its anatomical peculiarities: ” This particular spider not only has a larger size, but also larger venom glands and longer fangs “. It is therefore considered by researchers to be ” unusually large “.

Another distinguishing feature is its reproductive organs: its copulatory bulbs, located on the pedipalps – the small leg-like appendages near the spider's head – have a unique morphology, so different that mating with a female of the Sydney species would be physiologically impossible.

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It is impressive, but like all spiders, Atrax christenseni is absolutely not aggressive. © DRM News/YouTube

The identification of this new species required years of analysis, including DNA studies on specimens from the south- is from Australia. The search also revealed a third distinct species, the southern Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax montanus), bringing the total number to 38. of known species of Australian funnel-web spiders.

Professor Kris Helgen, Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute , emphasizes that the Atrax christensenioccupies a unique position in the evolutionary tree, having split from the Sydney spider 17 million years ago.

The researchers note that this new species, while potentially more venomous due to its more developed glands, has not caused any human deaths. The antivenom developed in the 1980s remains effective against its bite, as it does for other species of funnel-web spiders.

Next, we cannot stress this enough, although the bites of some spiders can be fatal, they will never attack a human being. On the contrary, they are generally very fearful and prefer to flee rather than confront us.

As a precaution, scientists are keeping the exact locations of the rare species' habitats a secret, to protect its populations. For Kane Christensen, whose name was given to this discovery, the emotion remains raw: ” It's an indescribable honor, I'm still looking for the words to express it “. Australia is a continent where zoological studies are very numerous; the discovery of the Atrax christensen proves us that even in the most studied areas, nature still hides some splendid secrets. Often with six or eight legs!

• A new giant funnel-web spider, nicknamed “Big Boy”, has been discovered near Newcastle, vastly exceeding the size and characteristics of its relatives.
• DNA analysis has revealed that the species split from the Sydney funnel-web spider 17 million years ago, with unique morphological features.
• Although potentially highly venomous, it has not caused any human deaths, and current antivenom remains effective against its bites.

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