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Australian scientists have discovered their country’s largest species of deadly funnel spider - and named him “Big Boy”.
In a study published Monday, an international team of scientists reclassified Sydney funnel-web spider, revealing it is not one species but three.
The team identified three distinct species - including the newly identified Newcastle funnel-web, affectionately nicknamed “Big Boy”. It is found exclusively around Newcastle, just up the New South Wales coast from Sydney.
The other two species have been classified as the Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus), primarily found in Sydney's northern suburbs and Central Coast, and the Southern Sydney funnel-web (Atrax montanus), common in the Blue Mountains.
Renowned for its potentially lethal bite, the Sydney funnel-web has long been considered a single entity. However, new research in the journal BMC Ecology and Evolution has shed some new light on its hidden diversity.
“Our research uncovered hidden diversity among funnel-web spiders,” said Dr Stephanie Loria of the LIB, lead author of the study. “The Newcastle funnel-web, Atrax christenseni—‘Big Boy’—is a totally new species. Meanwhile, the 'true' Sydney funnel-web, Atrax robustus, is centred on the North Shore and Central Coast, and Atrax montanus resurrects a species name dating back to 1914.”
The study was conducted by researchers from Germany’s Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB), the Australian Museum (AM) in Sydney, and Flinders University in Adelaide.
Dr Helen Smith, an arachnologist at the Australian Museum and co-author of the research, explained that while the Sydney funnel-web had been known to vary in appearance, these variations had not been thoroughly analysed until now.
“When our international team revisited the Sydney funnel-web, we examined fine morphological details and gene sequences across the region. We found the species split into three distinct groups,” Dr Smith said. “The heartland for the ‘true’ Sydney funnel-web, Atrax robustus, remains where we expected—in the leafy northern suburbs of Sydney.”
The research began after unusually large male funnel-web spiders were brought to Mr Kane Christensen, then at the Australian Reptile Park, as part of its Venom Program. These specimens came exclusively from Newcastle, 150 kilometres north of Sydney.
Further investigations included collecting new spiders across the region and analysing specimens from the Australian Museum’s collections, some dating back to the early 1900s.
“This revised taxonomy may have practical implications for antivenom production,” said Dr Danilo Harms from LIB, a co-lead author of the study. “The current antivenom remains effective for all Sydney funnel-web species and other closely related spiders. However, biological differences at the species level could help optimise future antivenom.”
Professor Geoff Isbister, a clinical toxicologist, noted that funnel-web bites—primarily from wandering male spiders—are severe but rare. “If bitten, seek medical attention immediately,” he advised.
The newly identified Atrax christenseni was named in honour of Christensen, due to his key role in its discovery.
He expressed his delight at the recognition: “There is no greater compliment than having a species named after me. It’s been a privilege to help shine a light on one of Australia’s most formidable spiders.”
The Australian Museum’s Chief Scientist, Professor Kris Helgen, highlighted the institution’s vast spider collection, which holds over 4,000 funnel-web specimens. “This research showcases the importance of museum collections and international collaboration,” Professor Helgen said. “Spiders, older than dinosaurs, are vital to ecosystems and exhibit astonishing diversity.”