The funnel-webs comprise 40 species in two genera (Atrax and Hadronyche). These potentially lethal spiders look very similar to other medically less significant big black spiders, including the trap door spiders (families Idiopidae and Nemesiidae) and mouse spiders (Actinopididae family). For this reason it is important to have a clinical approach to bite by a big black spider within the distribution of the Funnel-web species
Both genera of funnel-web spider produce venom that contains potent neurotoxins. Robustoxin (Atrax sp.) and versutoxin (Hadronyche sp.) prevent inactivation of sodium channels, leading to a massive increase in autonomic activity and neuromuscular excitation.
- Atrax robustus: Sydney FWS
- Hadronyche cerberea: Southern Tree FWS
- Hadronyche fromidabilis: Northern Tree FWS
- Hadronyche species 14: Port Macquarie FWS
- Hadronyche infensa: Toowoomba or Darling Downs FWS
- Hadronyche versuta: Blue Mountains FWS
References
- Isbister GI, Gray MR, Balit CR et al. Funnel-web spider bite; A systematic review of recorded clinical cases. Medical Journal of Australia 2005; 182: 407- 411.
- Isbister GI, Sibbritt D. Developing a decision tree algorithm for the diagnosis of suspected spider bites. Emergency Medicine Australia 2006;16: 161-166.
- Nicholson GM, Graudins A, Wilson HI et al. Arachnid toxinology in Australia: From clinical toxicology to potential applications. Toxicon 2006;48:872-898.
- Rosengren D, White J, Raven R et al. First report of a funnel-web spider envenoming syndrome in Brisbane. Emergency Medicine Australasia 2008;20 :164-166
About Mike Cadogan
