Aphonopelma hollyi

Aphonopelma hollyi
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Aphonopelma
Species:	A. hollyi
Binomial name
	Aphonopelma hollyi; Smith, 1995

Last updated February 03, 2024

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 .

Taxonomy

The species was described in 1995, based on a single adult male specimen from Lubbock, Texas. The holotype (i.e. the specimen on which the description was based) has been lost. A 2016 monograph of the genus Aphonopelma in the United States suggests that the specimen was actually Aphonopelma hentzi , but in the absence of the holotype, treats Aphonopelma hollyi as a nomen dubium (i.e. a doubtful name).^[1] Based on morphology, A. hollyi was considered to be closely related to a group of Aphonopelma species including A. hentzi.^[2] A study of DNA also suggested a close relationship to A. hentzi,^[3] in accordance with the suggestion that the holotype was actually this species.

Etymology

Aphonopelma hollyi was described as a new species by arachnologist Andrew M. Smith in 1995, based on a single male specimen collected in Lubbock, Texas in 1981, and housed at Oklahoma State University. Smith named the new species after Buddy Holly, who was born in Lubbock.^[2]

Description

Measurements of males are known from the male holotype specimen, with a body length of 43 mm (1.7 in), and a carapace of 18x17 mm. The longest legs (the fourth or rearmost pair) are 60 mm long, and the jaws are 5 mm long. The pedipalps bear four spines, and the first walking legs bear two. The color in alcohol preserved specimens is brown with gold or bronze hairs on the carapace, and light reddish brown hairs on the legs and abdomen.^[2] Female measurements were not included with the original description, but attain masses exceeding 10 grams.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Lubbock gold tarantulas are known from Lubbock and Briscoe counties, in Northern Texas, and occur in mixed grassland and scrub woodland among grass hillsides.^[2]^[4]

Behavior

Like other Aphonopelma species, A. hollyi juveniles and adults construct burrows. In a 14-month study conducted in the mid 2000s, A. hollyi became the first wild spiders studied with implanted passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, which were inserted into the body to allow for redetection. This study found high rates of burrow abandonment over the period, with monthly precipitation being the dominant predictor for abandonment, although it is unclear if the annual patterns are typical of the species or simply local responses to areas prone to flooding.^[5]^[6] A separate study using radio telemetry in July, 2007, indicated adults spent up to 96% of their time in burrows, and when exited moved only short distances (no more than 40 cm (16 in) from burrow) before returning.^[4]

Related Research Articles

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.

Brachypelma albiceps is a species of spider in the tarantula family, Theraphosidae. It is known as the Mexican golden red rump tarantula or the Amula red rump tarantula. The carapace is a light golden color and the abdomen dark, covered with long red hairs. Females typically live for about 15 years. Males usually live about 5 years or up to 12 months after the last molt.

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.

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 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 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 mojave is a species of spider, in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas).

Aphonopelma moellendorfi is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States (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.

Sericopelma is a genus of tarantula, found in Central America from Nicaragua to Panama. The limits of the genus and its distribution have long been confused; it is closely related to the genus Aphonopelma. Sericopelma species are among the largest found in Central America. They can be kept as pets, although at least one species has been described as "very aggressive".

Sandinista lanceolatum is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), native to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Tliltocatl is a genus of North American tarantulas that was split off from Brachypelma in 2020. They are also large burrowing tarantulas, but don't have the striking red leg markings of Brachypelma species. A female T. vagans can grow up to 50 mm (2.0 in) long and legs can get as long as 55 mm (2.2 in). They are found predominantly in Mexico, with some species native to Central America. The name is derived from two Nahuatl words, "tlil", meaning "black", and "tocatl", meaning "spider". Habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade has led to this and Brachypelma to be protected under International Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species rules, beginning with B. smithi.

References

↑ Hamilton, C.A.; Hendrixson, B.E. & Bond, J.E. (2016), "Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States", ZooKeys (560): 1–340, Bibcode:2016ZooK..560....1H, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.560.6264 , PMC 4768370 , PMID 27006611
1 2 3 4 Smith, Andrew M. (1995). Tarantula Spiders: Tarantulas of the U.S.A. and Mexico. London: Fitzgerald Publishing. ISBN 09510939-9-1.
↑ Hamilton, Donna E. (2008). "Ch. 4. A hierarchical study of genetic diversity in the genus Aphonopelma (Araneae) at the colonial, species and genus level using the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA gene (16S)." (PDF). Combining direct methods (PIT tags and radio-telemetry) with an indirect method (mtDNA) to measure movement and dispersal at different scales in North American tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) (Ph.D). Texas Tech University. pp. 43–63.
1 2 3 Hamilton, Donna E. (2008). "Ch. 3. Using radio telemetry and transition matrix modeling to study the behavioural ecology of cryptic animals: An example with North American tarantulas, Aphonopelma hollyi (Araneae, Theraphosidae)" (PDF). Combining direct methods (PIT tags and radio-telemetry) with an indirect method (mtDNA) to measure movement and dispersal at different scales in North American tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) (Ph.D). Texas Tech University. pp. 21–42.
↑ Hamilton, Donna E. (2008). "Ch. 2. Using implanted passive integrated transponders to monitor long-term burrow fidelity in a theraphosid spider, Aphonopelma hollyi" (PDF). Combining direct methods (PIT tags and radio-telemetry) with an indirect method (mtDNA) to measure movement and dispersal at different scales in North American tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) (Ph.D). Texas Tech University. pp. 4–20.
↑ Hamilton, Donna E.; McIntyre, Nancy E.; Densmore, Lewellyn D. (2012). "Using implanted Passive Integrated Transponders to monitor long-term burrow fidelity in a theraphosid spider, Aphonopelma hollyi". The Southwestern Naturalist. 57 (2): 144–147. doi:10.1894/0038-4909-57.2.144. S2CID 85139425.

External links

Photograph: Female Aphonopelma hollyi at her burrow

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[HamiHendBond16-1] Hamilton, C.A.; Hendrixson, B.E. & Bond, J.E. (2016), "Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States", ZooKeys (560): 1–340, Bibcode:2016ZooK..560....1H, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.560.6264 , PMC 4768370 , PMID 27006611

[Smith1995-2] 1 2 3 4 Smith, Andrew M. (1995). Tarantula Spiders: Tarantulas of the U.S.A. and Mexico. London: Fitzgerald Publishing. ISBN 09510939-9-1.

[Hamilton2008ch4-3] Hamilton, Donna E. (2008). "Ch. 4. A hierarchical study of genetic diversity in the genus Aphonopelma (Araneae) at the colonial, species and genus level using the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA gene (16S)." (PDF). Combining direct methods (PIT tags and radio-telemetry) with an indirect method (mtDNA) to measure movement and dispersal at different scales in North American tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) (Ph.D). Texas Tech University. pp. 43–63.

[Hamilton2008ch3-4] 1 2 3 Hamilton, Donna E. (2008). "Ch. 3. Using radio telemetry and transition matrix modeling to study the behavioural ecology of cryptic animals: An example with North American tarantulas, Aphonopelma hollyi (Araneae, Theraphosidae)" (PDF). Combining direct methods (PIT tags and radio-telemetry) with an indirect method (mtDNA) to measure movement and dispersal at different scales in North American tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) (Ph.D). Texas Tech University. pp. 21–42.

[Hamilton2008ch2-5] Hamilton, Donna E. (2008). "Ch. 2. Using implanted passive integrated transponders to monitor long-term burrow fidelity in a theraphosid spider, Aphonopelma hollyi" (PDF). Combining direct methods (PIT tags and radio-telemetry) with an indirect method (mtDNA) to measure movement and dispersal at different scales in North American tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.) (Ph.D). Texas Tech University. pp. 4–20.

[6] Hamilton, Donna E.; McIntyre, Nancy E.; Densmore, Lewellyn D. (2012). "Using implanted Passive Integrated Transponders to monitor long-term burrow fidelity in a theraphosid spider, Aphonopelma hollyi". The Southwestern Naturalist. 57 (2): 144–147. doi:10.1894/0038-4909-57.2.144. S2CID 85139425.

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