Sydney funnel-web spider: Australia’s deadliest spider reclassified into three species

The infamous Sydney funnel-web spider, known for its deadly bite and fearsome reputation, has just had its identity shaken up by science. What was once thought to be a single species, researchers have now reclassified this arachnid into three distinct species, casting new light on its complex biology. This breakthrough discovery gives a new perspective to one of the world's deadliest spiders and has opened up many important questions about the way we know and protect wildlife. Although terrifying, the

Sydney funnel-web spider

is an intriguing part of

Australian biodiversity

, and this discovery underlines the need for continued research even into the best-known species. Is it three's a crowd-or three's the charm? Read more to find out.

Scientists unveil three new Sydney funnel-web spider species

An international team of scientists has been able to reclassify the famous funnel-web spider of Sydney from one species into three. Also identified were two other species; the Southern Sydney funnel-web is Atrax montanus and the newly named Newcastle funnel-web, affectionately named "Big Boy," is Atrax christenseni, in addition to the classic Sydney funnel-web-Atrax robustus.
Led by experts from the Leibniz Institute (Germany), the Australian Museum (Sydney), and Flinders University (Adelaide), the team used a mix of anatomical studies and advanced DNA analysis to uncover this hidden diversity. Atrax robustus is now confirmed in Sydney's northern suburbs and the Central Coast, Atrax montanus in the Blue Mountains, and Atrax christenseni in Newcastle, 150 kilometers north. This discovery highlights the remarkable complexity of one of Australia's most iconic spider groups.

Meet “Big Boy”: New funnel-web spider species discovered and named

Sydney's infamous funnel-web spiders have hidden diversity with three species said to have been uncovered by an international group of scientists. The new Newcastle funnel-web, Atrax christenseni, has been nicknamed "Big Boy," but the classic Sydney funnel-web was Atrax robustus. The third one, Southern Sydney funnel-web, is more precisely a resurrected name from 1914.
Led by Dr. Stephanie Loria of LIB and Dr. Helen Smith, Australian Museum, the team used thorough morphological studies and genetic analysis to characterize the differences between them. The Atrax christenseni was established after Kane Christensen took some unusually large male specimens for the Venom Program at the Australian Reptile Park. In appreciation, he had the species in his honor.
Christensen said, "There is no greater compliment than having a species named after me, it's an incredible honor."
Also Read: Karnataka Traffic Police punishes reckless drivers by making them listen to honking sound; incident goes viral