Trapdoor, Funnelweb or Mouse spiders (Mygalomorphae)
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Discussion
NateKingsford
wrote:
28 Apr 2025
The easiest way to tell Missulena and Atracidae apart is the eye arrangement. Missulena eyes will be spread across the caput region of the cephalothorax (top of the head area next to the chalicerae), while Atracid eyes will be tightly grouped together. Missulena have a more stocky appearance compared to Atracids and they have much more chonkier looking Chalicerae (the large appendage at the front of the head where the fangs attach to the body).
I'd be happy to help if you have any further questions
I'd be happy to help if you have any further questions
Missulena sp. (genus)
AlisonPignon
wrote:
28 Apr 2025
Thanks Nate. He was lying on a mat doing stretches, hence it was able to crawl on him. Out of interest, how do you distinguish it from a funnel web?
Missulena sp. (genus)
NateKingsford
wrote:
28 Apr 2025
That's all good Alison, it happens. This one is a mature male Missulena sp. (Looks like Missulena dispaca, however some species within the genus are incredibly hard to tell apart without a closer look under a microscope). They're taxonomic cousins to funnel webs (Atracidae family), there isn't too much known about the venom so care should be taken when handling these guys
Missulena sp. (genus)
AlisonPignon
wrote:
28 Apr 2025
Hi Nate, apologies, I've just added the photos. Keen to know if it was a funnel web spider as it was crawling on my husband's leg before we took these photos! Thanks!
Missulena sp. (genus)
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