cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/16873523

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-new-species-of-sydney-funnel-web-has-been-discovered-and-it-s-a-monster-20241211-p5kxmz.html

Scientists have declared the Sydney funnel web – hallowed and feared as the world’s most venomous spider – is in fact three separate species. And one of the spiders, new to science, is a certified monster.

“They’re actually a totally new species. They’re restricted to about 25 kilometres around Newcastle,” Smith said. “So we’re calling that the Newcastle funnel web.”

“So if you translate that to the Newcastle funnel web, yes, the biggest spiders are more likely to inject enough venom to cause envenoming. I suspect what they’re calling the ‘big boy’ is more likely to be dangerous.

… the exact locations of the Newcastle funnel webs have been obscured from maps due to conservation fears.