Olios

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Olios
Olios lamarcki.jpg
Olios lamarcki
Olios sericeus 2020.jpg
Olios sericeus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Sparassidae
Genus: Olios
Walckenaer, 1837
Type species
Olios argelasius
Walckenaer, 1805
Species

165, see text.

Synonyms [1]
  • MidamusSimon, 1880
  • NisuetaSimon, 1880
  • NonianusSimon, 1885
  • PelmopodaKarsch, 1879

Olios is the largest genus of huntsman spiders, containing 166 species. They are found throughout the world, with most species occurring in hot countries. The genus was first described by Charles Athanase Walckenaer in 1837. [1]

Contents

Description

They are small to large Sparassidae, that have eight eyes in two partially straight rows. For the smaller species of this genus, they are usually light brown to brown with darker areas. Most larger species are darker, and some members of this genus may also be green. They are nocturnal hunters. [2]

Venom

Like most spiders, members of the genus Olios are not considered dangerous to humans. While they do possess venom, it is primarily used to subdue its prey, which consists of insects. The venom is not potent enough to cause significant harm to humans, and bites may result in mild symptoms such as redness, swelling, or pain, similar to a bee sting.[ citation needed ]

Habitat

As this genus is widespread, they are found in a large variety of habitats, from savannahs to rainforest. They are mainly found in vegetation, and rarely houses. They are sometimes shipped alongside fruit, but this is not a common occurrence. [2]

Species

As of September 2025, this genus includes 165 species and five subspecies: [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Genus Olios". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2 . Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 Jäger, Peter (2020). "The spider genus Olios Walckenaer, 1837 (Araneae: Sparassidae) – Part 1: species groups, diagnoses, identification keys, distribution maps and revision of the argelasius-, coenobitus- and auricomis-groups". Zootaxa. 4866 (1): 1–119. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4866.1.1. PMID   33311200. S2CID   226330426.