Phoneutria bahiensis

Phoneutria bahiensis can reach 3.5 cm in length and 14 cm with legs, Phoneutria bahiensis is very similar to Phoneutria fera and Phoneutria reidyi, its anterior flat lobe is convex and much more distinct in P. fera, and poorly developed in P. reidyi, the males have a reduced retrolateral tibial apophysis of the pedipalp, the cheliceras of the females are dark brown with yellow bristles, the pedipalps are dorsally dark brown, with the retrolateral face of the patella and tibia with barn bands, the opistosome is dorsally dark brown, with yellow-orange bristles, the ventral part is dark brown with 4 series of light yellow pots. In males, the tibia is equal to or greater than the cambium, the plunger is straight with a slightly curved tip, the color of the males is similar to that of the females, except for the exchange with a median longitudinal orange band.[3] is usually found on top of trees in the Atlantic Forest, is carnivorous, feeds on insects, other spiders and small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards and small mice, such as other wandering spiders, does not use webs to hunt, attacking its prey and injecting a paralyzing toxin, this spider generally uses webs to wrap its eggs. Unlike other wandering spiders, P. bahiensis is rarely aggressive.[4]

This species is edemic in Brazil, found in the Atlantic Forest, from the south of Bahia to the north of Espirito Santo.[4]

Although not much is known about this species, it is venomous and should be treated with caution.[4] Out of 12 reported bites, 5 developed heart failure. (See Pathophysiology of spider bites).