Idiothele mira | |
---|---|
Mature female | |
Tarsus and metatarsus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
Family: | Theraphosidae |
Genus: | Idiothele |
Species: | I. mira |
Binomial name | |
Idiothele mira Gallon, 2010 | |
Idiothele mira, [1] also known as the blue-foot baboon or the trap-door tarantula, is a species of fossorial tarantula endemic to South Africa and is popularized by hobbyists[ citation needed ] for the striking blue coloration on the dorsal (upper) side of the tarsi and metatarsi on each leg. [2] Furthermore, the species is well known for belonging to one of two described genera of theraphosids that build a trapdoor, the other being Typhochlaena . [3] Its species epithet comes from the Latin for "wonderful", referring to the sky-blue coloration on the tarsi and metatarsi. This species is known from Ndumo and Tembe Elephant Game Reserves, South Africa.< [1]
Idiothele mira is a small species, mature females reaching 4.5 inches in diagonal leg span and is very reclusive, rarely leaving its burrow, usually only for mating purposes. This species is easily distinguished by its bright blue "toes" or tarsi and metatarsi. This readily distinguishes it from Idiothele nigrofulva . [1] Recently moulted tarantulas of this species lack their namesake blue coloration, which develops soon after their molt. This coloration is caused by a farinaceous substance on their tarsi, instead of being caused by their setae. [1] This beautiful coloration paired with a black and golden carapace, gold radiating within black in a "starburst" pattern, the abdomen is also golden with black speckling. Males have a smaller body size when compared to the leg span, and reach 3.5 inches on average.
This species construct dense silk linked tunnels beneath rocks or logs in lightly wooded habitats. The entrance to their burrow is usually sealed with a thin trapdoor made out of silk. Males mature in January and females produce a single hammock like egg sac which is suspended inside its tunnel. [1] The eggsac of Idiothele mira commonly contains 25-45 spiderlings.
The cobalt blue tarantula or Cyriopagopus lividus is a species of tarantula which is in the family Theraphosidae which is native to Myanmar and over the border into Thailand. It was originally described as Haplopelma lividum.
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.
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.
Selenocosmia crassipes, synonym Phlogius crassipes, also known as the "Queensland whistling tarantula", "barking spider" or "bird-eating tarantula" is a species of tarantula native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. The name "whistling tarantula" comes from its ability to produce a hissing noise when provoked, a trait it shares with other Australian theraphosids. This hissing is produced by the spider stridulating a patch of setae associated with its chelicerae. It has also been called the "eastern tarantula". The species name crassipes is Latin for "fat leg" referring to the relatively fat front legs.
Pterinochilus murinus or the orange baboon tarantula, is a nocturnal spider in the family Theraphosidae that was first described in 1897 by Reginald Innes Pocock. This species is found in Angola, as well as central and southern Africa. It is a member of the subfamily Harpactirinae, baboon spiders.
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.
Hysterocrates gigas is a member of the tarantula family, Theraphosidae found in Cameroon. It is known as the giant baboon spider, Cameroon red baboon spider, or red baboon tarantula.
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 Aviculariinae are a subfamily of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). They can be distinguished from other theraphosids by a number of characters. Their legs have no or few spines on the underside of the tibial and metatarsal joints of the legs. The last two leg joints have brushes of hairs (scopulae) that extend sideways, particularly on the front legs, giving them a spoon-like (spatulate) appearance. Females have two completely separated spermathecae.
Typhochlaena is a genus of small-bodied tarantulas with an arboreal trapdoor lifestyle. All the species except for T. seladonia were first described by Rogério Bertani in 2012.
Typhoclaena amma is a species of the Aviculariinae, a subfamily of the Theraphosidae. The specific name refers to the project AMMA – arachnids and myriapods from Brazilian Atlantic rainforest carried out by the arachnologists from Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, who collected the types.
Typhochlaena costae is a species of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae, subfamily Aviculariinae. It is native to Palmas, Tocantins state, Brazil. The species shows an arboreal trapdoor lifestyle.
Typhochlaena paschoali is a species of tarantula, in the subfamily Aviculariinae. It is native to Brazil.
Typhochlaena curumim is a species of tarantula, that is native to Mata do Pau-Ferro, Areia, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. It is a member of the subfamily Aviculariinae.
Typhochlaena seladonia is a species of aviculariine tarantula, and is the type species of the genus Typhochlaena. It is unique as an arboreal spider that constructs trapdoors in the bark of trees.
Pachistopelma bromelicola is a species of tarantula, contained within the Aviculariinae subfamily. It is endemic to Brazil.
Pachistopelma rufonigrum is a species of theraphosid, contained within the Aviculariinae subfamily. It is endemic to Brazil.
Idiothele is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by J. Hewitt in 1919. As of March 2020 it contains two species, both found in southern Africa: I. mira and I. nigrofulva. While originally described as their own genus, Idiothele was synonymized with Pterinochilus in 1985, due to similar morphological characteristics. This was later corrected by Richard C. Gallon in 2002, citing differences in both morphology and behavior. The tarantulas in the genus Idiothele is the only genus of African tarantulas who make trap doors at the entrance of their burrow.
Lyrognathus giannisposatoi sometimes called the Sumatran stout leg tarantula is a tarantula which can be found in Mesuji Regency, Sumatra, Indonesia. It was first described by Steven C. Nunn, Rick C. West in 2013, and is named after Gianni Sposato, who helped with Selenocosmia material, and was of great help to the authors.