ABSTRACT
This chapter traces some general information about spiders and spiderbite, then detail information on each medically important group of spiders. Details of symptomatology for selected species of spiders are given in sections of this chapter dealing with major spider groups of clinical importance. Mygalomorph spiders are generally medium to large spiders, with robust body and legs, prominent forward facing chelicerae, large paraxial fangs, two pairs of book lungs and small eyes set in a "binacle" on the anterior cephalothorax. Severe, even life threatening envenoming can develop very quickly, and deaths within the first hour are reported, so correct and urgent application of first aid and transport to hospital is crucial. The clinical effects of funnel web spider envenoming in man appear directly attributable to one venom component, robustoxin. First aid for funnel web spiderbite is the same as for Australian snakebite, namely the use of a pressure immobilisation bandage.
