The most poisonous spider in the world consists of three species

This is an important finding for venom research and antivenom production, said Germany’s Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, which was involved in the study along with an international team.

Major visual differences between species
The results have now been published in the journal “BMC Ecology and Evolution”. Although experts have noticed major visual differences in spiders for decades, they were previously grouped under the scientific name ‘Atrax robustus’. This species is known as the ‘true’ Sydney funnel-web spider and lives in and around Sydney and the Central Coast.

Giant ones from Newcastle
A second species – “Atrax montanus” – is native further south and is mainly found in the Blue Mountains, which are popular with tourists. It has been mentioned before, but has only now been accepted as a separate species. The third species now documented is by far the largest. “Atrax christenseni” occurs specifically in the Newcastle area, approximately 150 kilometers north of Sydney. The three species have both genetic and morphological differences.

Researchers’ curiosity was once again sparked by particularly large specimens handed over to the Australian Reptile Park by spider enthusiast Kane Christensen to be milked for an antivenom. Christensen drew the experts’ attention to the size of the animals, all of which come from the Newcastle area. As a reward, the new species was named “Atrax christenseni”. “This is one of the greatest honors you can ever receive,” Australian broadcaster ABC quoted the spider friend as saying.

Important for poison research
The good news: The antivenom that exists so far is clearly effective for all three species. There have been no deaths from animal bites in Australia since the antivenom production program began in 1981. However, the new findings would still help research into toxins, says Danilo Harms of the Leibniz Institute and co-author of the study. “Even if an effective antivenom exists, considering species-specific differences may be valuable in producing antivenom for funnel-web spider bites,” he emphasized.

Last week, scientists announced that a record-breaking Sydney Funnel web – as spiders are called in Australia – was delivered to the Australian Reptile Park. It was 9.2 centimeters long and named after Australian actor Chris Hemsworth. Experts believe Hemsworth is the largest Newcastle funnel-web spider ever recorded.

The park is the only place in Australia where the males are milked for their venom to make the antidote. Reason: The males are five to six times more venomous than the females – and their venom is particularly suited to producing a life-saving antidote. It is not without reason that the males are listed in the Guinness Book of Records together with the Brazilian wandering spider as the most poisonous spider in the world.