Hexathelidae

Hexathelidae is a family of mygalomorph spiders.[1] It is one of a number of families and genera of spiders known as funnel-web spiders. In 2018, the family was substantially reduced in size by genera being moved to three separate families: Atracidae, Macrothelidae and Porrhothelidae. Atracidae includes the most venomous species formerly placed in Hexathelidae.

funnel-web spiders
Temporal range: Triassic–present
Hexathele hochstetteri, female
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Clade: Avicularioidea
Family: Hexathelidae
Simon, 1892
Diversity
7 genera, 47 species

Description

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.

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.[1]

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.

Taxonomy

A molecular phylogenetic study in 2018 showed that Hexathelidae, as then circumscribed, was not monophyletic and hence split off genera into the new families Atracidae, Macrothelidae and Porrhothelidae. The following cladogram shows the relationships found between these families (former Hexathelidae families marked with boxes).[2]

 
 

Dipluridae

 
 
 

Hexathelidae

 
 
 

Porrhothelidae

 
 
 

Macrothelidae

 
 
 
 

Atracidae

 
 

Actinopodidae

 
 
 
 

Calisoga (Nemesiidae)

 
 

Hebestatis (Halonoproctidae)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Genera
Main article: List of Hexathelidae species

As of April 2019, the World Spider Catalog accepts the following genera:[3]

Formerly placed here

As of May 2018, some genera formerly placed in Hexathelidae have been moved to other families:

Distribution and habitat

Five of the seven genera are found in Australia and New Zealand. Two genera are from Argentina and Chile in South America.[7]

Hexathelids typically live in burrows, which are constructed in the ground or in tree hollows. An elaborately constructed burrow entrance is common. These spiders construct a funnel-shaped web and lurk for prey in the small end of the funnel. They frequently search for a place to nest under human dwellings, or under nearby rocks, logs, or other similar objects. They are most active at night. Some build in rain forests, both in the soil and in hollows on trees; others build entirely in sand, e.g., Fraser Island, southeastern Queensland. In Australia, these spiders tend to prefer cooler climates, hence they are found primarily in rain forests.[8]

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See also

References
  1. Raven, R.J. (1980), "The evolution and biogeography of the mygalomorph spider family Hexathelidae (Araneae, Chelicerata)", Journal of Arachnology, 8: 251–266
  2. Hedin, M.; Derkarabetian, S.; Ramírez, M.J.; Vink, C. & Bond, J.E. (2018), "Phylogenomic reclassification of the world's most venomous spiders (Mygalomorphae, Atracinae), with implications for venom evolution", Scientific Reports, 8 (1636): 1–7, doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19946-2, PMC 5785998, PMID 29374214
  3. "Family: Hexathelidae Simon, 1892". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  4. "Family Atracidae Hogg,1901", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2018-05-15
  5. "Family Macrothelidae Simon, 1892", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2018-05-15
  6. "Family Porrhothelidae Hedin, Derkarabetian, Ramírez, Vink & Bond, 2018", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2018-05-15
  7. "Family: Hexathelidae Simon, 1892", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2018-05-25
  8. Gray, M.R. (1987), "Distribution of the funnel web spiders", in Covacevich, J.; Davie, P.; Pearn, J. (eds.), Toxic plants and animals: A guide for Australia, Brisbane: Queensland Museum, pp. 312–321

Further reading
  • Raven, R.J. & Platnick, N.I. (1978): A new genus of the spider family Dipluridae from Chile (Araneae, Mygalomorphae). J. Arachnol. 6: 73-77. PDF (Mediothele, now in Hexathelidae)
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