| Aphonopelma anax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Aphonopelma |
| Species: | A. anax |
| Binomial name | |
| Aphonopelma anax Chamberlin, 1940 | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Aphonopelma anax, commonly known as the Texas tan tarantula, is a species of spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae native to southern Texas and northern Mexico.
The species is one of the largest tarantulas found in the United States, as it commonly reaches a leg span of 5 inches at full maturity with some females reaching a 6-inch span. Like most Aphonopelma species, it has a very slow growth rate and lives for several years before maturing. As in most tarantulas, females are massive as compared to the males with considerably more bulk. Males tend to have longer leg spans, a smaller body, and also have bulbs on the end of their pedipalps once they reach maturity. These are used for mating.
As the name suggests, the coloration of A. anax primarily consists of tan colors and dark shades of brown. It is similar in coloration to Aphonopelma hentzi , another common Texas species, but is considerably darker. This species has urticating hairs like many New World tarantulas, but lacks any stridulating hairs on their chelicerae. [2]
The Texas tan tarantula is found in Southeastern Texas, and has been documented in Cameron County and Kleberg County. They are also found in Northern Mexico. [3] This puts their range in a semiarid climate, and they can be found in the grasslands and shrub forests that line the region, as well as within cities.
This species, like most tarantulas, does not build a typical web and instead lives within a silk-lined burrow. These burrows may be created by the tarantula itself, but in the majority of cases, the tarantula will simply modify a preexisting burrow or other suitable habitat. These kinds of habitats can include dead trees, empty rodent burrows, stacks of wood, or natural crevices. [4]
Females of A. anax can lay hundreds of eggs at a time. The eggs are laid within an egg sac weaved by the female, which is aggressively guarded within the burrow. The female also turns the egg sac to prevent deformations in a process called brooding. Eggs hatch after several weeks, and the spider-lings may stay with the females for some time before dispersing to fend for themselves.
Females have been known to live up to 40 years. However, no studies have lasted this long, so the lifespan may be longer. Males rarely live over two years after they have matured. [4]
Similar to many tarantula species, A. Anax is non-aggressive and avoids confrontations with humans and larger animals. This docile temperament makes it very desirable in the pet trade, along with A. hentzi. If provoked, however, the tarantula will use its hind legs to kick off some of its urticating hairs towards the potential threat. If these hairs reach the mucous membranes or bare skin, they can cause mild swelling and/or a rash. Humans may have an allergic skin reaction which can worsen symptoms. The reactions can last for several hours to weeks. [5] In addition to kicking its urticating hairs, A. Anax will rear up on its hind legs and raise its front legs in the typical tarantula "threat posture". [6] This is done to intimidate a potential predator.
A. anax follows the typical mating pattern of tarantulas. Once a male reaches maturity, it begins to weave a web in preparation of its journey to mate. It then rubs its abdomen on top of the web to release semen, which it then absorbs into the tips of its pedipalps. The semen is then kept viable until a mate has been found. When it detects a female, the two spiders then exchange different signals (usually a rhythmic drumming of the legs) to assure that they are the same species. If the female is willing to mate, the male will approach her, lift her upper body up, and then inserts his pedipalps into the female reproductive organ, which is located on the lower abdomen. After mating is complete, the male quickly leaves to avoid becoming a meal for the female. Females do not usually show aggression after mating, but it is known to happen. [7]
Aphonopelma is a genus of tarantulas native to the Americas. It includes nearly all the North American tarantula species north of Mexico and a considerable percentage of the tarantula species that range into Central America. Most are fairly large tarantulas with leg spans of 6 in (16 cm) or more. Like most New World tarantulas, all species of Aphonopelma have urticating hairs. Despite their fearsome appearance, these tarantulas are not harmful to humans and some species are popular in the pet trade. With about 90 species described so far, Aphonopelma comprises about 10% of the total number of described tarantula species. However, their taxonomy is poorly understood and species are difficult to tell apart, especially those that are brown or black without other pattern. Therefore, the actual number of species is unknown, with more species likely to be identified in the near future. In captivity, they are usually fed crickets; in the wild, they eat most insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, mantises, and beetles.
Aphonopelma chalcodes, commonly known as the western desert tarantula, desert blonde tarantula, Arizona blonde tarantula or Mexican blonde tarantula, is a species of spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae. It has a limited distribution in the deserts of Arizona and adjacent parts of Mexico but can be very common within this range. The common name "blonde tarantula" refers to the carapace, which is densely covered in pale hairs, and contrasts strongly with the all-dark legs and abdomen. Additionally, these spiders have low toxicity, a long life expectancy, and several offspring.
Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. As of December 2023, 1,100 species have been identified, with 166 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although many other members of the same infraorder (Mygalomorphae) are commonly referred to as "tarantulas" or "false tarantulas". Some of the more common species have become popular in the exotic pet trade. Many New World species kept as pets have setae known as urticating hairs that can cause irritation to the skin, and in extreme cases, cause damage to the eyes.
The Aphonopelma hentzi, also known as Texas brown tarantula, Oklahoma brown tarantula, or Missouri tarantula, is one of the most common species of tarantula living in the Southern United States today. Texas brown tarantulas can grow to leg spans in excess of 10 cm (4 in), and weigh more than 85 g (3 oz) as adults. Their bodies are dark brown, though shades may vary between individual tarantulas. The colors are more distinct after a molt, as with many arthropods.
Aphonopelma hollyi, also known as the Lubbock gold tarantula, is considered by some sources to be a species of tarantula native to Texas in the United States. Described in 1995, the scientific name honors the 1950s rock-and-roll singer Buddy Holly. Other sources suggest spiders given this name are actually Aphonopelma hentzi.
Aphonopelma chamberlini, also known as the Paso Robles rusty red tarantula, is regarded by some sources as a tarantula species endemic to California, and by others as synonymous with Aphonopelma iodius.
Aphonopelma johnnycashi is a species of tarantula. It was found in 2015 near Folsom Prison in California and named after Johnny Cash, whose song "Folsom Prison Blues" made the prison famous. Mature males are generally black, and the country music singer was also known as "The Man in Black".
Aphonopelma armada is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Texas in the United States.
Aphonopelma atomicum is a species of spiders in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States. Like many New World tarantulas, they flick urticating hairs at attackers if threatened.
Aphonopelma peloncillo is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in the United States.
Aphonopelma steindachneri is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States (California) and Mexico.
Aphonopelma eutylenum, commonly called California ebony tarantula, is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in the United States (California).
Aphonopelma gabeli is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States.
Aphonopelma icenoglei is a species of spiders in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States (California).
Aphonopelma iodius is a species of spider in the tarantula family Theraphosidae, found in United States. A 1997 paper combined it with three other previously described species into a single species, calling it "A. iodium". However, iodius is a neuter comparative adjective and is the correct form. Aphonopelma smithii has also been synonymized with A. iodius. A. iodius is common in the Mojave Desert to the west of the Colorado River.
Aphonopelma marxi is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), found in United States. Aphonopelma behlei and A. vogelae, at one time considered separate species, are now considered to be synonyms.
Aphonopelma moderatum is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States, in the state of Texas. Commonly called the Rio Grande Gold Tarantula as they are found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Aphonopelma phasmus is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae. It is only known from a single adult male collected near the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County, Arizona. The female is unknown.
Aphonopelma bicoloratum, is a species of tarantula found in Mexico. As its common name aptly states it is found in Mexico, and was first described by Ronny Struchen, D. Brändle and Gunter Schmidt in 1996. It is named after the Latin word bicoloratum, meaning bicolored.
Aphonopelma helluo is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Mexico.