Actinopodidae is a family of mygalomorph orb weaver spiders found in mainland Australia and South America usually in open forest. Species are most common in Queensland, Australia. It includes mouse spiders, whose bites, though rare, are considered medically significant and potentially dangerous.
Missulena is a genus of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It was first described by Charles Walckenaer in 1805, and is a senior synonym of Eriodon. M. tussulena is found in Chile, but the rest are indigenous to Australia. They are sometimes referred to as "mouse spiders" from the now-disproven belief that they dig deep burrows similar to those of mice. Scotophaeus blackwalli is also called a "mouse spider", but it is smaller and not closely related.
Missulena occatoria, known as the red-headed mouse spider, is a species of spider found in Australia, from open forest to desert shrubland. It is the most widely distributed Missulena species, occurring throughout mainland Australia. This is possible because the spiderlings disperse via wind (ballooning). Normally this only occurs with araneomorph spiders, mygalomorph spiders normally disperse by walking. Missulena venom may be very toxic, but few cases of serious envenomation have been recorded. Most recorded bites only caused minor effects, with Australian funnel-web spider antivenom having proved effective as a treatment.
Missulena bradleyi, also known as the eastern mouse spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Actinopodidae. The spider is endemic to the eastern coast of Australia.
Missulena torbayensis is a species of spider belonging to the family Actinopodidae. The spider is endemic to southwest Western Australia.
Missulena insignis, commonly known as the lesser red-headed mouse spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Actinopodidae native to Australia. The species name is derived from the Latin insignis "mark".
Missulena pruinosa, commonly known as the northern mouse spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Actinopodidae, native to Australia.
Missulena mainae is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena leniae is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena melissae is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia. Its type locality is in Millstream Chichester National Park, 6 km N. of Millstream Homestead.
Missulena pinguipes is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena langlandsi is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena faulderi is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena hoggi is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena granulosa is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena harewoodi is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena dipsaca is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Australia.
Missulena rutraspina is a species of mygalomorph spiders in the family Actinopodidae. It is found in Western Australia.
Missulena davidi is a species of mouse spider in the Actinopodidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2021, with the specific epithet davidi honouring the senior author's husband, David Greenberg.
Missulena iugum is a species of mouse spider in the Actinopodidae family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2021, with the specific epithet iugum referring to the strongly ridged cheliceral groove of the male spiders.
