Brachypelma albiceps

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Brachypelma albiceps
Brachypelma albiceps - subadult female - 2014-09-08.jpg
Subadult female in captivity
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Brachypelma
Species:
B. albiceps
Binomial name
Brachypelma albiceps
Pocock, 1903 [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • Aphonopelma albiceps(Pocock, 1903)
  • Brachypelmides ruhnauiSchmidt, 1997
  • Brachypelmides albiceps(Pocock, 1903)

Brachypelma albiceps is a species of spider in the tarantula family, Theraphosidae. [2] 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 (up to 20). Males usually live about 5 years or up to 12 months after the last molt. [3] [4]

Contents

Description

Females of Brachypelma albiceps have a body length of about 65 mm. The fourth leg is longest at about 60 mm. The carapace is covered with fine hair; its apparent color depends on the illumination, varying from sandy grey through to rose or yellow. The pedipalps and the first two pairs of legs may be lighter than the last two pairs of legs. The abdomen is dark with bright red longish hairs (setae). The spermatheca has two rounded seminal receptacles. [5] [6]

Taxonomy

Brachypelma albiceps has a somewhat tangled taxonomic history. In 1897, F. O. Pickard-Cambridge described the species Eurypelma pallidum (now Aphonopelma pallidum ) on the basis of two males collected in Chihuahua, Mexico. He assumed that two female specimens, collected independently in Guerrero, belonged to the same species. [7] In 1903, R. I. Pocock used the new name Brachypelma albiceps for these two females. He did not give a full description, merely saying in a footnote that the name was for the females from Guerrero that Pickard-Cambridge had doubtfully assigned to the same species as the males. [8] Alexander Petrunkevitch in 1939 and Carl Roewer in 1942 restored Pickard-Cambridge's original name, treating albiceps in this context as a junior synonym of pallidum. After studying the original specimens (which neither Petrunkevitch nor Roewer had done), Andrew Smith in 1995 reinstated Pocock's distinction, recognizing the females as a separate species, which, however, he placed in the genus Aphonopelma rather than Brachypelma. [5]

In 1997, Günter Schmidt described a new species, Brachypelmides ruhnaui from both sexes, [9] and in 2004, transferred Pocock's Brachypelma albiceps to Brachypelmides. [10] In 2005, Arturo Locht et al. restored Smith's Aphonopelma albiceps to its current genus Brachypelma and also synonymized Schmidt's Brachypelmides ruhnaui. [11] [2]

Distribution and habitat

Brachypelma albiceps is endemic to the central highlands of Mexico, especially in Guerrero and south of Morelos. In the wild, they build long burrows, typically under large rocks, but may inhabit nests abandoned by rodents or other animals. They are most active at night and dusk. [3]

Conservation

In 1994, all Brachypelma species were placed on CITES Appendix II, thus restricting trade. [12] Nevertheless, large numbers of tarantulas caught in the wild continue to be smuggled out of Mexico, including species of Brachypelma. [13]

Food

Their diet typically includes crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and cockroaches. In captivity, live food is typically required, such as moths, mealworms and pinky mice, as dead food may be ignored.[ citation needed ]

Reproduction

Females lay cocoons containing roughly 500 (up to 900) eggs two months after mating. Spiderlings hatch 8–10 weeks later. [3]

Pets

B. albiceps is commonly available at pet stores. Lighting is not needed, as these spiders naturally prefer darkness. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Avicularia</i> Genus of spiders

Avicularia is a genus of the family Theraphosidae containing various species of arboreal tarantulas. The genus is native to Panama, the Caribbean and tropical South America. Each species in the genus has very distinguishable pink foot pads.

<i>Brachypelma</i> Genus of spiders

Brachypelma is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). They may have bodies up to 6 cm long with legs of similar or greater lengths. Some species have brightly colored legs, with red or orange marks and rings.

<i>Aphonopelma</i> Genus of spiders

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.

<i>Brachypelma smithi</i> Species of spider

Brachypelma smithi is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas) native to Mexico. It has been confused with Brachypelma hamorii; both have been called Mexican redknee tarantulas. Mexican redknee tarantulas are a popular choice as pets among tarantula keepers. Many earlier sources referring to B. smithi either relate to B. hamorii or do not distinguish between the two species. B. smithi is a terrestrial tarantula native to Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Guerrero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greenbottle blue tarantula</span> Genus of spiders

Chromatopelma is a monotypic genus of South American tarantulas containing the single species, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens. Commonly known as greenbottle blue tarantulas due to their metallic blue legs and blue-green carapace, they are very active and fast-growing tarantulas that are particularly attractive to hobbyists. They are native to the Paraguaná Peninsula.

<i>Tliltocatl vagans</i> Species of spider

Tliltocatl vagans is a species of tarantula known commonly as the Mexican red rump. It ranges predominantly in Mexico, but is also found in Central America. They are terrestrial, burrowing spiders. The reason for the name red rump is because of its distinctive red hairs on its abdomen. Like most tarantulas, they will eat anything they can overpower, which is usually insects, but small lizards and rodents may also be consumed. They can grow up to a solid 6.5 inch leg span, with males typically being smaller and thinner than the females. They prefer shrubland habitats.

<i>Brachypelma klaasi</i> Species of spider

Brachypelma klaasi is a tarantula endemic to Mexico and it is the rarest of the genus Brachypelma.

Aphonopelma pallidum is a tarantula of the family Theraphosidae found in Mexico. Commonly called the rose-grey, or Mexican rose, it is not available in the pet-trade.

<i>Euathlus</i> Genus of spiders

Euathlus is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1875. These spiders are medium sized and are usually found in high elevations in the Andes. It is a senior synonym of Paraphysa, and was formerly considered a senior synonym of Brachypelma, but this was later rejected.

<i>Brachypelma boehmei</i> Species of spider

Brachypelma boehmei is a tarantula native to Mexico in Guerrero state. These long-lived tarantulas prefer burrowing and hiding in dry scrubland. As with all closely related tarantula species, they defend themselves with urticating hair when provoked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarantula</span> Family of spiders

Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. As of August 2022, 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Theraphosinae</span> Subfamily of spiders

The Theraphosinae are a large subfamily of Mygalomorphae spiders in the family Theraphosidae found in the Neotropical realm.

Brachypelma baumgarteni is a tarantula endemic to Pacific coast of Michoacan, Mexico.

<i>Sericopelma</i> Genus of spiders

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".

<i>Aphonopelma anitahoffmannae</i> Species of spider

Aphonopelma anitahoffmannae is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Mexico.

<i>Tliltocatl epicureanus</i> Species of spider

Tliltocatl epicureanus is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), found in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico.

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

<i>Tliltocatl verdezi</i> Species of spider

Tliltocatl verdezi is a species of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), found in Mexico.

<i>Tliltocatl</i> Genus of tarantulas

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

  1. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Taxon details Brachypelma albiceps Pocock, 1903". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2017-09-29.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Brachypelma albiceps". 14 January 2020.
  4. ↑ "Brachypelma albiceps (Mexican Golden Redrump Tarantula)". Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
  5. 1 2 Smith, Andrew M. (1994), Tarantula Spiders: Tarantulas of the U.S.A. and Mexico, London: Fitzgerald Publishing, ISBN   978-0-9510939-9-3 p. 136.
  6. ↑ Peters, Heinz-Josef (2003). "Aphonopelma albiceps Pocock, 1903". Amerika's Vogelspinnen. Tarantulas of the World (in German). Wegberg: H.-J. Peters. pp. 32–33. ISBN   978-3-933443-06-9.
  7. ↑ Pickard-Cambridge, F.O. (1897). "Eurypelma pallidum, sp. n.". Arachnida - Araneida and Opiliones, vol. 2. Biologia Centrali-Americana. London. p. 21.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ↑ Pocock, R. I. (1903). "On some genera and species of South-American Aviculariidae". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Series 7. 11 (61): 81–115. doi:10.1080/00222930308678729.
  9. ↑ Schmidt, G. (1997). "Eine zweite Brachypelmides-Art aus Mexiko: Brachypelmides ruhnaui n. sp. (Arachnida: Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)". Entomologische Zeitschrift, Frankfurt a.M. (in German). 107: 205–208.
  10. ↑ Schmidt, G. (2004). "Die Gattung Brachypelmides Schmidt & Krause, 1994 (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)". Tarantulas of the World (in German). 99: 4–5.
  11. ↑ Locht, A.; Medina, F.; Rojo, R. & Vázquez, I. (2005). "Una nueva especie de tarántula del género Aphonopelma Pocock 1901 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) de México con notas sobre el género Brachypelma Simon 1891". Boletín de la Sociedad Entomologica Aragonesa (in Spanish). 37: 105–108.
  12. ↑ "Brachypelma smithi (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897): Documents". Species+. UNEP-WCMC & CITES Secretariat. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  13. ↑ Mendoza, J. & Francke, O. (2017). "Systematic revision of Brachypelma red-kneed tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae), and the use of DNA barcodes to assist in the identification and conservation of CITES-listed species". Invertebrate Systematics. 31 (2): 157–179. doi:10.1071/IS16023. S2CID   89587966.
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