Australia's huntsman fastest spider on record, new study suggests

A recent study suggests that Australia’s brown huntsman spider could hold the title of the fastest spider in the world. The findings come from a preprint published on bioRxiv, a platform where scientific papers are shared before undergoing formal peer review. This research analyzed the movement speeds of 258 spider species using both newly conducted experiments and existing data from previous studies. Among the many species examined, the brown huntsman stood out due to its remarkable speed, reaching up to 3.59 meters per second—approximately the pace of a human jogging. The study, led by a team based in the United Kingdom and Germany, tested the locomotion abilities of spiders from 162 species. Most of the specimens were collected locally, though others came from pet stores across the globe. To measure their speeds, the researchers placed each spider in a box lined with grid paper and filmed their movements using high-speed cameras. When prompted by a gentle touch from a paintbrush or similar object, the spiders would scurry across the grid, allowing scientists to calculate their velocity. This method is commonly used to assess the speed of small creatures like lizards and spiders, although obtaining suitable subjects remains a challenge. In addition to the newly collected data, the study incorporated information from 96 additional spider species drawn from prior research spanning North America, Europe, and Australia. These included data from a 2021 study by biomechanics researcher Christofer Clemente from the University of the Sunshine Coast. His research focused on the movement mechanics of spiders, particularly how they use a combination of hydraulic pressure in their legs and muscle contractions to propel themselves forward. Clemente noted that the brown huntsman’s speed surprised him initially. “We didn’t know it was the fastest spider at the time,” he explained. “We just measured the speed in that spider and thought, ‘Wow, that’s really fast.’” However, without comparative data, the significance of the huntsman’s speed remained unclear until the current study provided broader context. The study revealed that the brown huntsman, weighing approximately 1 milligram, outpaced both smaller and larger spider species. For instance, it ran faster than the money spider Maso sundevalli, which weighs less than the huntsman, and quicker than the massive Lasiodora parahybana—a spider weighing nearly 51 grams. This finding supports the hypothesis that medium-sized animals tend to achieve the highest speeds, rather than the smallest or largest members of a group. Despite their intimidating appearance, brown huntsmen are generally harmless to humans. They lack venom and primarily feed on insects, making them beneficial to households and gardens. Their ability to run swiftly likely aids in capturing prey and escaping predators. According to the study, the huntsman’s speed peaks for only a brief moment, reaching up to 3.59 meters per second during short bursts. However, even when considering average speeds over longer distances, the huntsman remains among the fastest spiders known. The research highlights the importance of studying animal locomotion across a wide range of species. By comparing data from multiple regions and species, scientists gain deeper insights into the biomechanical principles underlying movement. Clemente emphasized that the study aimed to explore whether the pattern observed in other animals—where medium-sized individuals often exhibit peak performance—applies to spiders as well. His initial investigations on the Sunshine Coast laid the groundwork for this broader inquiry, demonstrating how local observations can contribute to global scientific understanding. As the study awaits formal peer review, it opens the door for further research into spider locomotion and the factors influencing speed across different species. Scientists may now seek to investigate how environmental conditions, body structure, and evolutionary pressures influence the movement capabilities of arachnids worldwide.