Species information
Scientific name: Macrothele gigas
Japanese name: オオクロケブカジョウゴグモ
Chinese name: 巨型長尾蛛
English name: Giant Japanese funnel-web spider
Origin: Ishigaki, Iriomote
Ecology and description
The Japanese common name for spiders in the funnel-web spider genus (Macrothele), belonging to the family Macrothelidae, is “ジョウゴグモ,” where “ジョウゴ” can be written in kanji as “漏斗,” possibly referring to their funnel-shaped webs.
In Japan, species of the genus Macrothele include:
- Giant Japanese funnel-web spider (Macrothele gigas)
Japanese name: オオクロケブカジョウゴグモ
Distribution: Ishigaki, Iriomote
Body length: approximately 3.5 cm - Yaginuma funnel-web spider (also known as Yaeyama funnel-web spider) (Macrothele yaginumai)
Japanese name: ヤエヤマジョウゴグモ
Distribution: Ishigaki, Iriomote
Body length: approximately 1.5 to 2.1 cm - Amami funnel-web spider (Macrothele amamiensis)
Japanese name: アマミジョウゴグモ
Distribution: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima
Although Giant Japanese funnel-web spider and Yaginuma funnel-web spider are both distributed in Ishigaki and Iriomote, they can be distinguished by their size.
According to a 1998 study, the giant Japanese funnel-web spider (Macrothele gigas) distributed on Ishigaki and Iriomote was previously considered the same species as Macrothele holsti from Taiwan. This research in 1998 clarified them as two distinct species.
The funnel-web spiders are well-known due to their venomous nature, and it is advised not to attempt capturing them lightly.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
