Australian scientists have discovered a new species of deadly spider, which is larger and more venomous than its relatives, and named it Big Boy.
In their study, published on Monday, scientists from the Australian Museum, Flinders University, and the German Leibniz Institute found that there are three species of Sydney funnel-web spiders, not one. The scientists named the 3.54-inch species Atrax christenseni, which received the nickname Big Boy. For comparison, ordinary Sydney funnel-web spiders can grow up to nearly 2 inches.
"Our research revealed hidden diversity among funnel-web spiders," said lead researcher Stephanie Loria in her statement. "The Newcastle funnel-web spider, Atrax christenseni - is a completely new species."
Dark, glossy, and large spiders are considered some of the most dangerous venomous spiders to humans. Modern antivenom is already effective against bites from a wide spectrum of funnel-web spiders, including the recently discovered one.
Only male Sydney funnel-web spiders have venom capable of killing an adult person, and 13 deaths have been associated with bites from the common Sydney funnel-web spider between 1927 and the early 1980s. Since the development of antivenom in the 1980s, there have been no fatal cases.
In 2024, the Sydney funnel-web spider found in Australia set a record as the largest spider in the Australian Spider Park. Its leg span measured 3.1 inches, surpassing the previous record holder from the 2018 park.
