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Huntsman spider

Sparassidae

Description:

Phoneutria fera, maybe? I would love if it is one of them, the most venomous in the world, especially this one, according to the Guinness World Records (vide references). As a measure reference, the egg has about 3 cm diameter.

Habitat:

Brazil interior, Minas Gerais State, rural area.

Notes:

This specimen was found about two weeks ago, between the hulls of a rotted tree trunk, within a web nest. Its abdomen was rather bulky at that day. Yesterday, I found it in the same place, protecting a large egg. She is very aggressive with anything that bother her and attacks voraciously even a small stick of wood. I think it's a Phoneutria, but I still do not have power to say for sure. I have photos of the first time I met her, without an egg and the abdomen swelled. The file is not with me right now so I'll post it later. p.s. I wish I could make a more readable and detailed macro of it, but I was cautious this time because it is really aggressive.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Stuart4
Stuart4 6 years ago
Huntsman spider
Sparassidae


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6 Comments

Stuart4
Stuart4 6 years ago

This is absolutely not a Phoneutria, sorry! It is instead one of the huntsmen spiders (family Sparassidae) as AshleyT below indicates. The eye arrangement here clearly indicates those over any Ctenidae. Otherwise, your location is too far south for P.fera, but there are other species in that genus in your zone, however, this is not any of those.

AshleyT
AshleyT 9 years ago

Based on how it holds its legs (laterigrade vs prograde) makes me think family Sparassidae over family Ctenidae, which is what Phoneutria is in

Fyn Kynd
Fyn Kynd 9 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

Leonardo Castro
Leonardo Castro 9 years ago

Thanks a lot, Ava and armadus!

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 9 years ago

Wow. Can't say I blame you for being cautious about getting a macro. Great shots. Thank you for the information and for sharing :)

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 9 years ago

Great spotting and notes!

Leonardo Castro
Spotted by
Leonardo Castro

MG, Brazil

Spotted on Mar 2, 2015
Submitted on Mar 2, 2015

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