Venezuelan spider

The Venezuelan spider was a species of tarantula native to a sinkhole in a remote tepui. There, in the isolated tepui, the spiders enjoyed a position at the top of the food chain. The spiders' society was highly sophisticated, organized into a hierarchical chain that resembled that of bees and ants. The tarantulas were governed by a General, who produced a Queen, which then produced drones. The drones lacked reproductive organs, but had disproportionately large venom sacs, which allowed them to scatter through their habitat and conquer other species.

Biology
These spiders evolved to structure their society into a highly complex hierarchy, with a General and Queen tarantula to act as governors of the society. The Queen gave birth to a number of drones which would then radiate from the central nest in a weblike pattern. These spiders lived at the top of the food chain, using a lethal venom which allowed them to dominate the surrounding organisms. They were also noted to be highly aggressive, raising their front two legs to indicate attack in a manner similar to most tarantulas.

Evolutionary history
The species evolved in the rainforests of the Amazon basin. Isolated within the sinkhole of a particular tepui, they grew to dominate the species native to the area. In this remote, inescapable habitat, they remained unchanged for millions of years. However, these lethal arachnids encountered the native humans at some point in the past, leaving the locals fearfully aware of their domain.

Encounter with Mankind
The species was first discovered by Dr. James Atherton in his expedition to the spiders' native tepui. There, several of the specimens were collected and brought back to camp, but not before one specimen capable of reproduction concealed itself inside the explorers' supplies. At camp, Atherton was able to study the dronelike nature, observing their lack of reproductive organs and enormous venom sacs. Shortly thereafter, the concealed specimen killed Jerry Manley, Atherton's photographer, and then hid in the latter's casket for continued sustenance.

The casket was then sent to Manley's family in the small town of Canaima, where the specimen exited and mated with a common barn spider. The Venezuelan specimen eventually constructed a web inside the Jennings barn (which was later moved to the wine cellar), producing a queen who in turn produced hundreds of offspring which retained the size of the barn spider and the deadliness of the Venezuelan specimen. These smaller drones began to spread out in a weblike pattern to dominate the town. However, the entirety of the offspring were eradicated in the ensuing panic by Delbert McClintock, and the Venezuelan specimen and its queen were killed through the efforts of Dr. Ross Jennings.

Appearances

 * Arachnophobia
 * novel
 * Official Movie Adaptation