Hadronyche versuta

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Hadronyche versuta
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Hexathelidae
Genus: Hadronyche
Species: Hadronyche versuta
(Rainbow, 1914)
Synonyms

Atrax versuta Rainbow
Aname bicolor Rainbow
Pseudatrax moreaui Rainbow
Atrax bicolor Hickman
Atrax moreaui Main

Hadronyche versuta, the Blue Mountains funnel-web spider, is a venomous mygalomorph spider found in central New South Wales.

Taxonomy

A member of the genus Hadronyche, the Blue Mountains funnelweb was first described in 1914, by William Joseph Rainbow in the genus Atrax, having been collected from the vicinity of the Jenolan Caves.[1] The species name is derived from the Latin versutus "clever/cunning".[2]

Description

The Blue Mountains funnel-web has a similar coloration to most other funnel-webs, namely a shiny black carapace and black to dark brown legs and chelicerae. The abdomen of the male has a pale dorsal patch, and that of the female is maroon-brown. The carapace in the male is slightly longer than wide and is roughly square in the female.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Specimen in its funnel-web on display at the Australian Museum

The Blue Mountains funnelweb is found in eastern Australia from Blue Mountains to the Illawarra district in New South Wales. Its burrows are found in stumps and rotten logs.[3]

Toxicity

One out of nine recorded cases of being bitten by a Blue Mountains funnel-web spider has resulted in severe symptoms of envenomation. The bite can be successfully treated with the antivenom for the related Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus).[4] Symptoms of envenomation can occur within 15–20 minutes. Applying pressure and a tourniquet can significantly delay the onset of symptoms and remains a critical part of management of a spider bite. Despite the venom lacking the atraxotoxin or atraxin of A. robustus, the symptoms are very similar to those from a Sydney funnel-web bite. Features of envenomation include diaphoresis, local pain at bite site, pulmonary oedema, hypertension, nausea and vomiting.[5]

Females are suspected of being more venomous than males, possibly because they inject larger amounts of venom. Versutoxin, a neurotoxin very similar to robustoxin produced by the Sydney funnel-web, induces an autonomic storm in the victim.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Rainbow, William Joseph (1914). "Studies in Australian Araneidae. No. 6. The Terretelariae". Records of the Australian Museum 10 (8): 187–270 [253–55]. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.10.1914.901. 
  2. ↑ Brunet, Bert (1997). Spiderwatch: A Guide to Australian Spiders. Reed. p. 87. ISBN 0-7301-0486-9. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gray, Michael R. (24 November 2010). "A revision of the Australian funnel-web spiders (Hexathelidae: Atracinae)". Records of the Australian Museum 62 (3): 285–392. doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.62.2010.1556. ISSN 0067-1975. 
  4. ↑ Isbister G, Gray M, Balit C, Raven R, Stokes B, Porges K, Tankel A, Turner E, White J, Fisher M (2005). "Funnel-web spider bite: a systematic review of recorded clinical cases". Medical Journal of Australia 182 (8): 407–11. PMID 15850438. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Miller MK, Whyte IM, White J, Keir PM., MK (2000). "Clinical features and management of Hadronyche envenomation in man". Toxicon 38 (3): 409–27. doi:10.1016/S0041-0101(99)00171-3. PMID 10669029. 

External links

Data related to Hadronyche versuta at Wikispecies Media related to Hadronyche versuta at Wikimedia Commons

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