False funnel-web

Fact Box Species: Namea salanitri (QM) Previous species name: Probably Stanwellia species Family: Nemesiidae formerly Dipluridae Body length: female: 22 mm male: 17 mm Habitat: This species digs burrows in established gardens and in open forest settings, and if present at all these tend to be found in quite large numbers; the entrance to the burrow is usually closed by a very thin film of web; males may wander at night during the warmer months Toxicity: Uncertain; the venom of this spider isthought to be only mildly hazardous to humans but roaming males have large fangs and should be treated with caution

Female, side view A male Male palps Burrow entrance Another male Male palps

Namea salanitri is particularly common along the edge of the Toowoomba range. The dark body and lighter brown legs characterise this species.

There may actually be at least two species present because in some specimens tibial spurs (megaspines) are present on the first pair of legs of the males but they are lacking on other specimens. When present, the spurs are not as robust as on Aname males and are not on a raised part of the leg. The tube on the end of the male tarsal bulb bends back strongly on itself, though once again not in all specimens.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Aname species, Australothele jamiesoni, and Misgolas pulchellus.