What is the scientific name of the Sydney funnel-web spider?

The scientific name of the Sydney funnel-web spider is Atrax robustus.

The species belongs to the genus Atrax and the family Atracidae. It is a mygalomorph spider native to eastern Australia, with its distribution centered around Sydney and extending through parts of New South Wales. Its name was established by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge, who described the species in 1877 from a female specimen held by the British Museum.

The species name robustus comes from Latin for “strong,” “sturdy,” or “mature.” Historical confusion followed when male and female spiders were initially described under different names. Later examination showed that Euctimena tibialis was the male of Atrax robustus, while Poikilomorpha montana was eventually treated as the same species.

The Sydney funnel-web is often confused with other Australian funnel-webs, including species in the genus Hadronyche. It is glossy and dark-colored, and adults have finger-like spinnerets. Its medically important reputation comes from venom that can cause severe illness in humans, although the introduction of antivenom greatly changed the danger posed by bites.