Hadronyche cerberea
Hadronyche cerberea, the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider, is an extremely venomous mygalomorph spider found in central New South Wales, Australia.
Taxonomy and naming
German naturalist Ludwig Koch described the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider from a female spider collected in Sydney, and erected the genus Hadronyche in 1873. The type specimen was housed at the State [Museum of Natural History Stuttgart] and destroyed during bombing in World War II. A neotype was subsequently selected in 2010 and is housed at the Australian Museum in Sydney.Description
The southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider has a glossy black carapace, matte black or dark brown chelicerae and legs, and a light maroon-brown to dark brown abdomen.Distribution and habitat
The southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider is found in eastern Australia from the Hunter River in central New South Wales to southern New South Wales. This and the northern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider are the only two species of Australian funnel-web spiders that live predominantly in trees.It inhabits dry sclerophyll forest.
In Tallaganda National Park and its surrounds in southeastern New South Wales, the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider co-occurs with the funnel-web species Atrax sutherlandi, which burrows exclusively in the soil, in contrast with the former species' preference for logs. Genetic analysis shows that the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider has recently rapidly spread through the area.
Toxicity
A high proportion of bites from the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider—three out of four recorded cases—result in severe symptoms of envenomation, a higher proportion of bites than even the Sydney funnel-web spider. The venom can be successfully treated with the antivenom for the related Sydney funnel-web spider.The venom of Hadronyche cerberea contains the peptide Hc3a.
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 the management of an Australian funnel-web 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 spider bite. Common symptoms include diaphoresis, hypertension, sinus tachycardia, nausea, vomiting and local pain at the bite site. Pulmonary oedema often comes on early.