Huntsman spiders, members of the family Sparassidae, are known by this name because of their speed and mode of hunting. They also are called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. Larger species sometimes are referred to as wood spiders, because of their preference for woody places. In southern Africa the genus Palystes are known as rain spiders or lizard-eating spiders. Commonly they are confused with baboon spiders from the Mygalomorphae infraorder, which are not closely related.
The giant huntsman spider, found in Laos, is a species of huntsman spider (Sparassidae), a family of large, fast spiders that actively hunt down prey. It is considered the world's largest spider by leg span, which can reach up to 1 ft (30 cm).
Adcatomus is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1880 by Karsch. As of 2017, it contains 2 species from Venezuela and Peru.
Clastes is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1837 by Walckenaer. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Clastes freycineti, found in the Moluccas and New Guinea.
Defectrix is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1925 by Petrunkevitch. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Defectrix defectrix, found in Panama.
Dermochrosia is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1940 by Mello-Leitão. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Dermochrosia maculatissima, found in Brazil.
Irileka is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1998 by Hirst. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Irileka iridescens, found in western Australia.
Megaloremmius is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1903 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Megaloremmius leo, from Madagascar.
Nisueta is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1880 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains five African species.
Nonianus is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1885 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains 3 species.
Orchestrella is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1965 by Lawrence. As of 2017, it contains 2 species from Namibia.
Origes is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1897 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains 3 species.
Palystella is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1928 by Lawrence. As of 2017, it contains 4 species, all from Namibia.
Prychia is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1875 by L. Koch. As of 2017, it contains 4 species.
Remmius is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1897 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains 5 African species.
Rhacocnemis is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1897 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Rhacocnemis guttatus, found in the Seychelles.
Sparianthis is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1880 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Sparianthis granadensis, found in Colombia.
Staianus is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1889 by Simon. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Staianus acuminatus, from Madagascar.
Stasinoides is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 1922 by Berland. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Stasinoides aethiopica, found in Ethiopia.
Nungara is a genus of spiders in the Sparassidae family. It was first described in 2016 by Pinto & Rheims. As of 2017, it contains 3 species from Ecuador and Brazil.
