Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer 1805)

Macrothele calpeiana, commonly known as the Gibraltar funnel-web spider or Spanish funnel-web spider, is one of the largest spiders in Europe. Macrothele calpeiana is the only spider species protected under European Union legislation.^[1]

The satin black colour and long, flexible spinnerets are characteristic of this spider. The carapace is low and flat and the eyes are in a compact group. The female resembles the male but has a larger abdomen. The male can grow to nearly 30 millimetres (1.2 in) long; females are typically larger. Like all funnel-web spiders, this spider's web is funnel-shaped with trip-threads around the entrance, built among stones and roots. Its geographical range includes Gibraltar, Spain, Portugal and north-west Africa. This species has been observed occasionally in France. The venom is not deadly to humans.

It is the type species of its genus.

References

• Jiménez-Vlaverde, A. & Lobo, J. M. (2006) "Distribution determinants of endangered Iberian spider Macrothele calpeiana (Araneae, Hexathelidae)". Environmental Entomology, 35(6): 1491-1499.
• Jiménez-Vlaverde, A. & Lobo, J. M. (2007) "Potential distribution of the endangered spider Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) (Araneae, Hexathelidae) and the impact of climate warming". Acta Zoologica Sinica, 53: 865-876. http://www.currentzoology.org/paperdetail.asp?id=6697.
• Jiménez-Vlaverde, A. (2009) "Absence points of Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) (Araneae, Hexathelidae) in Morocco (North Africa)". Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa, 44: 559-561.
• Jiménez-Vlaverde, A., García-Díez, T. & Bogaerts, S. (2007) "First records of the endangered spider Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) (Hexathelidae) in Portugal". Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa, 41: 445-446.
• Siaud, P. & Raphaël, B., (2013) "First observation in Provence of the southern iberian funnelweb: Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805)". Mésogée., 69 : 5- 11, "planches" (board) 1-2.