Australian  Funnel-web  Spiders  -  Family:  Atracidae
      The Australian Funnel-web Spiders are a small family of 36 species in 3 genera but, what they lack in numbers they do make up for in reputation.   They are medium to very large spiders with a body length ranging from 10 - 50 mm. Females are larger and more robust with relative to bodylength, shorter legs.  All Atracids are endemic to Australia and whereas most are restricted to the eastern parts of the country, Funnel-web Spiders can also be found in Tasmania and in South Australia, particularly the Adelaide region.  Mostly dark-brown and black with some reddish tones thrown in, they have eight, rather closely-set eyes and the cephalothorax is shiny and only sparsely covered with hairs. 
It is only since Hedin et al (2018) that  they are known as the  Family: Atracidae, prior to that they had been placed in the Dipluridae by E. Simon in 1892, as a distinct family (Atraceae) by themselves by H.R. Hogg in 1901,  and in the Hexathelidae by R.J. Raven in 1980.
      Claims of 'most deadly' or 'most venomous' are a bit pointless of course but, the Australian Funnel-webs are definitely up there.  There are six species in particular that are of significant medical importance with two species, the Sydney Funnel-web Spider and the very large, Northern Tree-dwelling Funnel-web Spider.  A bite from either species should be considered potentially deadly.   Isbister et al (2015)  states more than half of the 138  expertly identified funnel-web spider bites produce severe reactions including 13 deaths - not attributed to any one species - prior to the introduction of antivenom in 1981.  Death can occur within one hour and even though none have been recorded since 1981, seeking medical attention promptly is of vital importance.  
Of the six 'most dangerous' species, four can be found in the Northern Rivers.  A fifth species from the area should not be regarded as harmless though.  Of all species it was shown that male spiders have more potent venom, bites from females do not normally produce severe reactions.
      Funnel-web Spiders make funnel-shaped webs at the entrance of their burrows with trip-lines radiating from the centre that act as a warning system to alert the spider of the presence of potential prey, or mate.  The spiders tend to be found underneath rocks or logs.  In heavy rain their hide-out may flood and, even though they can survive 'for several hours submerged' trapping air in the hairs of the abdomen, the spider would normally desert the burrow and seek higher ground.   Under normal circumstances the Funnel-web Spiders are nocturnal but wandering males can be found during day-time.  Their prey consist mostly of invertebrates but the larger species are known to take the occassional small tree frog and small lizard as well. 
      Sydney Funnel-web Spider  -  Atrax robustus
      Northern Tree Funnel-web Spider  -  Hadronyche formidabilis
      Darling Downs Funnel-web Spider  -  Hadronyche infensa

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      Lamington Funnel-web Spider  -  Hadronyche lamingtonensis
      Port Macquarie Funnel-web Spider  -  Hadronyche macquariensis

Taxonomy:
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Phylum:   Arthropoda   (Arthropods)
          > Subphylum:   Chelicerata   (Chelicerates)
                    > Class:   Arachnida   (Arachnids) 
                                        > Order:   Aranea   (Spiders)
                                                  > Suborder:   Mygalomorphae   (Mygalomorphs)
                                                                      > Superfamily:   Avicularioidea
                                                                                > Family:   Atracidae   (Australian Funnel-web Spiders)
                                                                                                              > Genus:   Atrax
                                                                                                                        > Species: A. robustus - Sydney Funnel-web Spider
                                                                                                              > Genus:   Hadronyche
                                                                                                                        > Species:   H. formidabilis - Northern Tree Funnel-web Spider
                                                                                                                        > Species:   H. infensa - Darling Downs Funnel-web Spider
                                                                                                                        > Species:   H. lamingtonensis - Lamington Funnel-web Spider
                                                                                                                        > Species:   H. macquariensis - Port Macquarie Funnel-web Spider
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*  =  likely
^  =  possibly
References  and  links:
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>      Gray, M.R., (2010).   'A revision of the Australian funnel-web spiders (Hexathelidae: Atracinae).'   Records of the Australian Museum. 62 (3): 285–392.   doi:10.3853/j.0067-1975.62.2010.1556. ISSN 0067-1975.
>      Hedin, M.,  Derkarabetian, S.,  Ramírez, M.J.,  Vink, C.   and  Bond, J.E.,  (2018).    'Phylogenomic reclassification of the world’s most venomous spiders (Mygalomorphae, Atracinae), with implications for venom evolution.'    Scientific Reports 8(1636): 1-7.    doi:10.1038/s41598-018-19946-2 
>      Hogg, H.R.,  (1901).   'On Australian and New Zealand spiders of the suborder Mygalomorphae.'   Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1901: 218–279.
​ doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1901.tb08176.x.
>      Isbister, G.,  Gray, M.  et al,  (2005).    'Funnel-web spider bite: a systematic review of recorded clinical cases.'   Med J Aust. 182 (#8): 407–11.    doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb06760.x. hdl:2440/17349. PMID 15850438. S2CID 18066524.
>      Raven, R.J.,  (1980).    'The evolution and biogeography of the mygalomorph spider family Hexathelidae (Araneae, Chelicerata).'   Journal of Arachnology 8: 251-266.

      https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/funnel-web-spiders-group/​
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_funnel-web_spider​
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_funnel-web_spider​
​      https://wsc.nmbe.ch/family/124/Atracidae
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