Australian spider expert Kane Christensen has contributed to identifying a new species of funnel-web spider, now named Atrax christenseni.
With two decades of experience at the Australian Reptile Park, Christensen first noticed unique traits in funnel-web spiders from Newcastle, north of Sydney. Observing that some male funnel webs from the area were larger and had distinctive genital features compared to those in Sydney, he suspected a new species.
His observations prompted collaboration with Australian Museum scientists. DNA testing later confirmed the existence of this new species.
During this research, a particularly large male funnel-web, nicknamed “Hemsworth” for its size, was recognized as belonging to the new species. Found near Newcastle, Hemsworth boasts a leg span of 9.2 cm, making it the largest male funnel-web recorded by the park.
Additionally, this study led to the reclassification of another species, the southern Sydney funnel-web (Atrax montanus), previously misidentified since 1914. This reclassification brings the total known Australian funnel-web species to 38.
The Newcastle funnel-web, separated by 17 million years of evolutionary history from the Sydney funnel-web, features notably different reproductive organs. The copulatory organ of the Newcastle species is significantly larger, preventing interbreeding with the Sydney funnel-web.
Found only in specific, undisclosed locations for conservation purposes, the Newcastle funnel-web’s venom is similar to that of its Sydney counterpart. However, its larger size could potentially deliver more venom. Despite this, the antivenom introduced in 1981 remains effective, significantly reducing fatalities from funnel-web bites, including those from the new species.
