Kankuamo marquezi

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Kankuamo marquezi
Kankuamo Marquezi(Female Dorsal View).jpg
Female Kankuamo marquezi (dorsal view)
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: Kankuamo
Perafán, Galvis & Pérez-Miles, 2016 [1]
Species:
K. marquezi
Binomial name
Kankuamo marquezi
Perafán, Galvis & Gutiérrez, 2016 [1]

Kankuamo marquezi is the only species within the monotypic spider genus Kankuamo, in the family Theraphosidae. It is found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. This spider has urticating hairs, the first to be classified as type VII. These sword-shaped, bristly hairs are used as a defense mechanism by stinging or stabbing. Most other species of tarantulas attack by throwing their hairs from a distance. [1] Kankuamo hairs cover the entire body and have penetrating tips which will embed themselves into the skin or mucous membranes and cause severe irritation. Humans often experience mild to severe skin irritation or rashes.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Taxonomy

The species Kankuamo marquezi and the new genus Kankuomo were first described in 2016 by Carlos Perafán et al. The genus name honors the indigenous Kankuamo people of the Caribbean region of Colombia, where this species is found. The grammatical gender of Kankuamo is neutral. The species name marquezi was given in honor of Nobel prize-winning Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez, considered one of the most significant writers of the 20th century. [1] [2]

Perafán et al. placed the genus Kankuamo in the subfamily Theraphosinae. Based on a morphological phylogenetic analysis, the genus was most closely related to Metriopelma . [1]

Description

Abdominal urticating setae

Urticating hairs are used to differentiate between the subfamilies, genera and species of the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). Prior to the discovery of Kankuamo marquezi, six different kinds of urticating hairs were known, varying in their morphology, ornamentation, length and releasing mechanism. Two types (II and V) were found in subfamily Aviculariinae, the other four types (I, III, IV and VI) in subfamily Theraphosinae. [1]

A different type of urticating hair was found during the study of Kankuamo marquezi. The spider was covered with rust-colored bristles, including an unusual oval patch of sharp-tipped barbed hairs. Some lanceolated barbs are arranged with their tips towards the penetration tip of the hair, opposite to the main barbs. These unique urticating hairs were put in a new type of urticating hair, type VII. They were considered to have evolved to defend the spider against direct contact. [1]

The action of type VII urticating hairs was first observed while handling the specimen in alcohol. The upper part of the tarantula's abdomen was touched intentionally and it was noticed that the urticating hair easily pierced the human finger. After further examination of the finger with stereoscope microscope, the setae were seen to be embedded in the skin, but none penetrated more than one-third of their length. When attempts were made to remove the setae, they were found to break easily from their distal end, leaving a remainder inside the tissue. The lanceolated barbs (in the reverse direction), which are present at the distal end of the setae, serve as a natural breaking point. [1]

Urticating hair, type VII

It is different from the other types because of its insertion feature, as it contains a penetrating tip with the barbs in the reversed that aid embedding them in the targets.
Type VII is located in the dorsal of the abdomen intermixed with covering the setae and attached to the cuticle by thinner stalk that makes it easy to release. Length of the setae is 1122±40 μm and Width is 33±3 μm, length/width ratio is 34(n=10). Setae have a very sharp penetrating tip on its distal apex which is opposite to the stalk. The stalk of it is approximately 45±3 μm in length and 10±1 in width, which is larger than other urticating types. The main shaft is notably straight, which contains the main small barbs that extend along the whole setae. It also has a small oval patch of lanceolated reversed barbs near the penetrating tip. [1]

Palpal bulb

Male spiders use palpal bulbs instead of a penis to transfer sperm to females. Males of this new species of Theraphosidae have a subconical palpal bulb with many conspicuous kneels distributed throughout the subtegulum and embolus, forming a completely unique pattern covered with zig-zag edges, which may resemble a musical instrument. These bulbs are especially developed on the dorsal and prolateral faces, most of them with serrated edges, additional dorsal kneels and supra-accessory kneels. The general shape of the palpal bulb resembles that of the genus Ami discovered in 2008, but with the subtegulum more elongated in Kankuamo. [1]

Females are different from other genera in a way that they have spermathecae with one notched receptacle, two granulated lobes and several irregular sclerotized longitudinal striations. [1]

Distribution and habitat

Kankuamo marquezi inhabits Cuchilla San Lorenzo on the northwestern flank of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, at an altitude of 2000 to 2300 m above sea level, in the lower montane wet forest ecozone. The location where it was found mainly consist of shrubs from the families Arecaceae and Chrysobalanaceae. The area is also inhabited by snakes of the genus Atractus and frogs of the genus Atelopus . [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urticating hair</span> Bristles on plants and animals that cause physical irritation when embedded

Urticating hairs or urticating bristles are one of the primary defense mechanisms used by numerous plants, almost all New World tarantulas, and various lepidopteran caterpillars. Urtica is Latin for "nettle", and bristles that urticate are characteristic of this type of plant, and many other plants in several families. This term also refers to certain types of barbed bristles that cover the dorsal and posterior surface of a tarantula's or caterpillar's abdomen. Many tarantula species eject bristles from their abdomens, directing them toward potential attackers. These bristles can embed themselves in the other animal's skin or eyes, causing physical irritation, usually to great discomfort. The term "hairs" is technically a misnomer, as only mammals possess true hairs. The scientific term for plant hairs is trichomes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goliath birdeater</span> Species of tarantula from South America

The Goliath birdeater belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America, it is the largest spider in the world by mass and body length, and second to the giant huntsman spider by leg span. It is also called the Goliath tarantula or Goliath bird-eating spider; the practice of calling theraphosids "bird-eating" derives from an early 18th-century copper engraving by Maria Sibylla Merian that shows one eating a hummingbird. Despite the spider's name, it rarely preys on birds.

<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.

<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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skeleton tarantula</span> Species of spider

The skeleton tarantula, Ephebopus murinus, is a species of spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), sub-family Aviculariinae. A New World species, it is native to several South American countries. Its common name is derived from the skeleton-like markings on its legs.

<i>Cyriocosmus</i> Genus of spiders

Cyriocosmus is a genus of tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1903. They are small to medium spiders, with a bicolored or one same color carapace.

<i>Ephebopus</i> Genus of spiders

Ephebopus is a genus of northeastern South American tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1892. Its relation to other tarantulas is one of the most uncertain in the family, and it has been frequently moved around and has been placed in each of the eight subfamilies at least once.

<i>Bumba</i> (spider) Genus of spiders

Bumba is a genus of tarantula native to the Americas. It is an uncommon genus, comprising eight known species, including one named after John Lennon. Like most related species in the subfamily Theraphosinae, they may flick urticating hairs in response to threats.

Bistriopelma is a genus of spider, being a theraphosine theraphosid (tarantula).

Tmesiphantes uru is a species of tarantula in the subfamily Theraphosinae. It is endemic to Argentina.

<i>Thrixopelma</i> Genus of spiders

Thrixopelma is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described by Günter E. W. Schmidt in 1994. They are medium to large tarantulas, usually being 35mm to 60mm in body length.

Cardiopelma is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae. It was first described in 1999 by Vol. As of 2017, it contains only one species, Cardiopelma mascatum, known only from Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca.

Hemirrhagus is a genus of Mexican tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1903. It is considered a senior synonym of Spelopelma. Species of the genus Hemirrhagus are 5 to 12 cm long, usually black in colour, the urticating hairs on the opisthosoma are arranged in one dorsomedian patch, two dorsal paramedian patches, or two lateral patches. It is unique amongst the theraphosine genera because of the retrolateral coxal heels, the shape of the male palpal bulb, and the urticating hairs on the abdomen are reduced or completely missing. It is the only genus with epigean, troglophile and troglobitic species.

<i>Caribena</i> Genus of spiders

Caribena is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas), found in the Antilles. The two species accepted as of March 2017 were formerly placed in Avicularia. Apart from a different distribution – Avicularia species are found in mainland South and Central America – Caribena is distinguished by having longer and thinner type II urticating hairs in a conspicuous patch on the upper surface of the abdomen. Males also have a differently shaped palpal bulb.

<i>Avicularia juruensis</i> Species of spider

Avicularia juruensis is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in South America. Avicularia urticans was brought into synonymy in 2017. It has been given the English name Amazonian pink toe spider. Under the synonym Avicularia urticans, it is also known as the Peruvian pinktoe tarantula. It is a large mygalomorph spider, with a maximum body length over 30 mm (1.2 in) and the longest fully extended leg about 60 mm (2.4 in). Like other species in the genus Avicularia, specimens under this name are sold as pets, although their identity has not been confirmed by taxonomic studies.

Tliltocatl andrewi is a possible species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). The World Spider Catalog regards it as a nomen dubium. Only the male has been described and its distribution is unknown.

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

<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.

Cymbiapophysa is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae, first described by Pocock, in 1903. As of 2024 it contains 12 species. The tarantulas of this genus inhabit Central America. Males of this genus can be distinguished by the presence of a distal retrolateral apophysis on the cymbium of the male pedipalp. And females can be distinguished with twin spermathecae, by the morphology and the short and squat receptacles.

Cymbiapophysa marimbai is a tarantula in the genus Cymbiapophysa, first described in 2018. This tarantula is found in Colombia, in the Reserva Natural Biotopo Selva Humeda.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Perafán, Carlos; Galvis, William; Gutiérrez, Miguel; Pérez-Miles; Fernando (2016). "Kankuamo, a new theraphosid genus from Colombia (Araneae, Mygalomorphae), with a new type of urticating setae and divergent male genitalia". ZooKeys (601): 89–109. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.601.7704 . PMC   4978081 . PMID   27551189.
  2. ↑ Arnold, Carrie (29 June 2016). "Love in the Time of Tarantulas: New Spider Shocks Scientists". National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "New Species, Colombia". Live Science. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
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