Artema atlanta is a species of spider of the family Pholcidae with a pantropical distribution. It is commonly known as the giant daddy-long-legs spider, in Australia[2] and South Africa.[3] With a body length of 8–11 mm, it is the largest pholcid in the world.[4]
Specimens of both sexes have a body length of 8–11 mm.[5] Their first pair of legs is roughly 6.5 times the length of the body.[5]
A. atlanta can be found in all tropical regions, such as the Seychelles, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam[5] and Brazil.[6] It can be found on every continent (apart from Antarctica).[6] It has been introduced into Belgium (Antwerp),[1] and North America, where (as of 2009) colonies can be found in southern Arizona and southeastern California in the United States.[4] Two spiders were found in a shipping container which arrived in England in 2004.[6] It is suggested that the species originates from the Old World, although it was first described from Brazil.[6]
Artema atlanta is a species of spider of the family Pholcidae with a pantropical distribution. It is commonly known as the giant daddy-long-legs spider, in Australia and South Africa. With a body length of 8–11 mm, it is the largest pholcid in the world.
