Family ACTINOPODIDAE Simon, 1892

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Introduction

The Actinopididae resemble stout Funnelwebs and recent research has confirmed that their venom, although rarely used, is as toxic or more so than that of the Sydney Funnelweb (Atrax robustus) but not because of Robustoxin. Mouse spiders' second claim to fame is that they are one of the few mygalomorph families in which the young attempt to balloon.

Diagnosis

Differ from the Migidae and Neocteniza by the presence of a strongly procurved fovea, short square maxillae, and an elongate labium.
Mygalomorph spiders with the apical segment of the posterior lateral spinnerets domed. Eyes widely spaced, occupying at least half of head width. Rastellum present. Caput arched. Chelicerae with 2 rows of teeth; outer fang smooth or with low lateral flanges. Maxillae short, wider than long; labium much longer than wide. Cuspules present on labium and maxillae of females; serrula absent. Labiosternal suture indistinct or represented by 2 small sigilla. Distal segments of anterior legs with short strong lateral spines.

Diagnosis References

Raven, R.J. 1985. The spider infraorder Mygalomorphae (Araneae): Cladistics and Systematics. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 182(1): 1-180 [Date published December 5, 1985] [143]

Common Name References

Main, B.Y. 1964. Spiders of Australia. Brisbane : Jacaranda : Axiom 124 pp. [reprinted 1981] (Mouse Spiders)

History of changes