The Newcastle funnel-web spider (''Atrax christenseni''), also known as Newcastle big boy,
is a species of venomous
mygalomorph funnel-web spider
Funnel-web spider refers to many different species of spider, particularly those that spin a web in the shape of a funnel:
* spiders in the family Agelenidae, including
** '' Hololena curta''
* funnel-web tarantulas (suborder Mygalomorphae):
** f ...
in the family
Atracidae, native to an area north of
Newcastle
Newcastle usually refers to:
*Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom
*Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom
*Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area ...
in Australia.
Description
Atrax christenseni is considered a very large species of funnel-web spider, with adult males exhibiting notable size.
The largest recorded male individual measured approximately 9.2 cm (3.6 in) across, including the span of the legs, making it one of the largest members of the genus ''Atrax''.
[Natural History Museum Bern. (n.d.).]
''Atrax christenseni'' Dupérré & Smith, 2025
''World Spider Catalog''. Retrieved January 13, 2025. This considerable size, combined with its potent venom, has contributed to the species’ reputation for being among the most venomous and dangerous spiders in the world.
Despite the species’ high venom potency, no fatalities have been documented, largely due to the availability of an effective antivenom.
The antivenom developed for the closely related
Sydney funnel-web spider
The Sydney funnel-web spider (''Atrax robustus'') is a species of venomous Mygalomorphae, mygalomorph spider native to eastern Australia, usually found within a radius of Sydney. It is a member of a group of spiders known as Australian funnel- ...
(''A. robustus'') has been shown to be effective in treating bites from ''A. christenseni'' as well.
This cross-efficacy is attributed to the biochemical similarity of the venom components among species within the ''Atrax'' genus, enabling broader protection through the same medical intervention.
Taxonomy and naming
The species was formally described as a new species in 2025.
Previously, it was thought to be a local subspecies of the Sydney funnel-web.
[ ]
The specific epithet ''christenseni'' honors Kane Christensen, who contributed specimens that led to ''A. christenseni''
's recognition as a distinct species.
Distribution and habitat
''A. christenseni'' occurs in the area north of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia,
where it inhabits silk-lined burrows.
[Gray, M., & Smith, H. (n.d.)]
Newcastle Funnel-web Spider, ''Atrax christenseni''
The Australian Museum. Retrieved January 14, 2025. The exact location of the spider populations are not published, due to conservation concerns and its poison.
[Dalton, A. (2025, January 13).]
''The Sydney Morning Herald''.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q131750118
Spiders of Australia
Arthropods of New South Wales
Endemic fauna of Australia
Atracidae
Spiders described in 2025
Venomous arthropods