Question: Are there giant spiders in Australia?

Huntsman spider



Huntsman spiders, members of the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae), are known by this name because of their speed and mode of hunting.  They also are called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Larger species sometimes are referred to as wood spiders, because of their preference for woody places (forests, mine shafts, woodpiles, wooden shacks). In southern Africa the genus Palystes are known as rain spiders or lizard-eating spiders.[3] Commonly they are confused with baboon spiders from the Mygalomorphae infraorder, which are not closely related.
More than a thousand Sparassidae species occur in most warm temperate to tropical regions of the world, including much of Australasia, Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Americas.[4]
Several species of huntsman spider can use an unusual form of locomotion. The wheel spider (Carparachne aureoflava) from the Namib uses a cartwheeling motion, while Cebrennus rechenbergi uses a handspring motion.
Appearance





Sparassids are eight-eyed spiders. The eyes appear in two largely forward-facing rows of four on the anterior aspect of the prosoma. Many species grow very large– in Laos, male giant huntsman spiders (Heteropoda maxima) attain a legspan of 25–30 centimetres (9.8–11.8in). Persons unfamiliar with spider taxonomy commonly confuse large species with tarantulas, but huntsman spiders can generally be identified by their legs, which, rather than being jointed vertically relative to the body, are twisted in such a way that in some attitudes the legs extend forward in a crab-like fashion.
On their upper surfaces the main colours of huntsman spiders are inconspicuous shades of brown or grey, but many species have undersides more or less aposematically marked in black-and-white, with reddish patches over the mouthparts. Their legs bear fairly prominent spines, but the rest of their bodies are smoothly furry. They tend to live under rocks, bark and similar shelters, but human encounters are commonly in sheds, garages and other infrequently-disturbed places. The banded huntsman (Holconia) is large, grey to brown with striped bands on its legs. The badge huntsman (Neosparassus) is larger still, brown and hairy. The tropical or brown huntsman (Heteropoda) is also large and hairy, with mottled brown, white and black markings. The eyesight of these spiders is not nearly as good as that of the Salticidae (jumping spiders). Nevertheless, their vision is quite sufficient to detect approaching humans or other large animals from some distance.
Venom and aggression
Like most spiders, apart from the Uloboridae and some Liphistiidae and Holarchaeidae,[5] Sparassidae use venom to immobilize prey. They have been known to inflict serious defensive bites.[6]
There have been reports of members of various genera such as Palystes,[7] Neosparassus (formerly called Olios) and several others, inflicting severe bites. The effects vary, including local swelling and pain, nausea, headache, vomiting, irregular pulse rate, and heart palpitations, indicating some systemic neurological toxin effects, especially when the bites were severe or repeated. However, the formal study of spider bites is fraught with complications, including unpredictable infections, dry bites, shock, and nocebo effects. 
It is not always clear what provokes Sparassidae to attack and bite humans and animals, but it is known that female members of this family will aggressively defend their egg sacs and young against perceived threats.[4] Bites from sparassids usually do not require hospital treatment.
Sound production in mating rituals
Males of Heteropoda venatoria, one of the huntsman spiders that seems to easily find its way around the world, have recently been found to deliberately make a substrate-borne sound when they detect a chemical (pheromone) left by a nearby female of their species. The males anchor themselves firmly to the surface onto which they have crawled and then use their legs to transmit vibrations from their bodies to the surface. Most of the sound emitted is produced by strong vibrations of the abdomen. The characteristic frequency of vibration and the pattern of bursts of sound identify them to females of their species, who will approach if they are interested in mating. This sound can often be heard as a rhythmic ticking, somewhat like a quartz clock, which fades in and out and can be heard by human ears in a relatively quiet environment. [8]
Genera

As of April2017, the World Spider Catalog accepted the following genera in the family Sparassidae:[1]

Adcatomus Karsch, 1880
Anaptomecus Simon, 1903
Anchonastus Simon, 1898
Arandisa Lawrence, 1938
Barylestis Simon, 1910
Beregama Hirst, 1990
Berlandia Lessert, 1921
Bhutaniella Jäger, 2000
Caayguara Rheims, 2010
Carparachne Lawrence, 1962
Cebrennus Simon, 1880
Cerbalus Simon, 1897
Chrosioderma Simon, 1897
Clastes Walckenaer, 1837
Curicaberis Rheims, 2015
Damastes Simon, 1880
Decaphora Franganillo, 1931
Defectrix Petrunkevitch, 1925
Delena Walckenaer, 1837
Dermochrosia Mello-Leitão, 1940
Diminutella Rheims & Alayón, 2018
Eusparassus Simon, 1903
Exopalystes Hogg, 1914
Geminia Thorell, 1897
Gnathopalystes Rainbow, 1899
Guadana Rheims, 2010
Heteropoda Latreille, 1804
Holconia Thorell, 1877
Irileka Hirst, 1998
Isopeda L. Koch, 1875
Isopedella Hirst, 1990
Keilira Hirst, 1989
Leucorchestris Lawrence, 1962
Macrinus Simon, 1887
Martensopoda Jäger, 2006
May Jäger & Krehenwinkel, 2015
Megaloremmius Simon, 1903
Micrommata Latreille, 1804
Microrchestris Lawrence, 1962
Neosparassus Hogg, 1903
Neostasina Rheims & Alayón, 2016
Nisueta Simon, 1880
Nolavia Kammerer, 2006
Nonianus Simon, 1885
Nungara Pinto & Rheims, 2016
Olios Walckenaer, 1837
Orchestrella Lawrence, 1965
Origes Simon, 1897
Paenula Simon, 1897
Palystella Lawrence, 1928
Palystes L. Koch, 1875
Panaretella Lawrence, 1937
Pandercetes L. Koch, 1875
Parapalystes Croeser, 1996
Pediana Simon, 1880
Pleorotus Simon, 1898
Polybetes Simon, 1897
Prusias O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1892
Prychia L. Koch, 1875
Pseudomicrommata Järvi, 1914
Pseudopoda Jäger, 2000
Pseudosparianthis Simon, 1887
Quemedice Mello-Leitão, 1942
Remmius Simon, 1897
Rhacocnemis Simon, 1897
Rhitymna Simon, 1897
Sagellula Strand, 1942
Sampaiosia Mello-Leitão, 1930
Sarotesius Pocock, 1898
Sinopoda Jäger, 1999
Sivalicus Dyal, 1957
Sparianthina Banks, 1929
Sparianthis Simon, 1880
Spariolenus Simon, 1880
Staianus Simon, 1889
Stasina Simon, 1877
Stasinoides Berland, 1922
Stipax Simon, 1898
Strandiellum Kolosváry, 1934
Thelcticopis Karsch, 1884
Thomasettia Hirst, 1911
Tibellomma Simon, 1903
Tychicus Simon, 1880
Typostola Simon, 1897
Uaiuara Rheims, 2013
Vindullus Simon, 1880
Yiinthi Davies, 1994
Zachria L. Koch, 1875

Distribution and habitat


Members of the Sparassidae are native to tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide. A few species are native to colder climates, like the green huntsman spider (Micrommata virescens) which is native to Northern and Central Europe.[9] Some tropical species like Heteropoda venatoria and Delena cancerides have been accidentally introduced to many subtropical parts of the world, including New Zealand (which has no native sparassid species).[10]
As adults, huntsman spiders do not build webs, but hunt and forage for food: their diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, and occasionally small skinks and geckos. They live in the crevices of tree bark, but will frequently wander into homes and vehicles. They are able to travel extremely quickly, often using a springing jump while running, and walk on walls and even on ceilings. They also tend to exhibit a "cling" reflex if picked up, making them difficult to shake off and much more likely to bite. The females are fierce defenders of their egg sacs and young. They will generally make a threat display if provoked, and if the warning is ignored they may attack and bite. The egg sacs differ fairly widely among the various genera. For example, in Heteropoda spp. egg sacs are carried underneath the female's body. While in other species like Palystes and Pseudomicrommata spp., females generally attach egg sacs to vegetation.[11]
See also
Cultural depictions of spiders (section: Modern myths and urban legends)
List of Sparassidae species
Spider wasp
Table of spider families

Inline citations

General references




 Minibeast Wildlife
 from the Australian Museum
 at Victorian Museum
 University of Southern Queensland– pictures & descriptions
 at 
 at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences