Hexathelidae
| Hexathelidae venomous funnel-web spiders |
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| Female Sydney funnel-web spider | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Suborder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Infraorder: | Tuberculotae |
| Superfamily: | Hexatheloidea |
| Family: |
Hexathelidae Simon, 1892 |
| Genera | |
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See text. |
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| Diversity | |
| 11 genera, 85 species | |
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See text.
Hexathelidae is the only family in the superfamily Hexatheloidea, and 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 Australian funnel-web spiders, including the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus). Most species in Hexathelidae are not dangerous to humans.
These spiders are medium-to-large in size, with body lengths ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.5 to 2 in). 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 spiders which includes the true tarantulas), these spiders have fangs which point straight down and do not cross each other (see also Araneomorphae). They have ample venom glands that lie entirely within their chelicerae. Their chelicerae and fangs are large and powerful. Although they are rather small compared to the true tarantulas, 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.
Most hexathelids are found in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. One species is known in the Mediterranean region and two from South America. Two species exist in Central Africa.
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Wikipedia