Poecilotheria vittata

Last updated

Poecilotheria vittata
Theraphosidae - Poecilotheria vittata.JPG
Museum specimen
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Poecilotheria
Species:
P. vittata
Binomial name
Poecilotheria vittata
Pocock, 1895 [2]
Synonyms [2]
  • Poecilotheria pederseniKirk, 2001

Poecilotheria vittata, sometimes called Pederson's ornamental, the ghost ornamental, or magam tiger spider, is an arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. In IUCN Red List, the species is cited as a synonym of Indian species Poecilotheria striata , [1] but in other local text books and online publications, it is cited as a separate species. As of February 2016, the species was considered to be native to both India and Sri Lanka by the World Spider Catalog. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Description

A specimen from Sri Lanka Poecilotheria vittata taken by Chamara Asanga.jpg
A specimen from Sri Lanka

The species can identified from other tiger spiders by prominent brushes on femurs and a prominent dark triangular stripe on the femur of fourth pair of legs in ventrally. Males are about 5 cm in length, females are larger at 6–7 cm. [5]

In females, the dorsal carapace is similar to P. fasciata . The abdomen markings are slightly darker around the joint to the peduncle. There are two lines of oblong parallel spots down the tibia. Ventrally, the legs are white in color. The first and second leg pairs have identical markings. The patella is white with a broken black band distally. The tibia is also white. In males, the dorsum is greenish brown all over the body with inconspicuous markings. Ventrally, similar to female, instead of much shorter wedge-shaped marking not merge with distal black band in fourth pair of legs. [5]

Ecology

The species is confined to the south-eastern parts and few northern parts of Sri Lanka. Inhabiting in tree hollows, under tree barks, rock crevices, not common in human habitations. Compared to other tiger spiders, this species is docile, but in extreme disturbances, will bite. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Brachypelma hamorii</i> Species of arachnid

Brachypelma hamorii is a species of tarantula found in Mexico. It has been confused with B. smithi; both have been called Mexican redknee tarantulas. Many earlier sources referring to B. smithi either do not distinguish between the two species or relate to B. hamorii. B. hamorii is a terrestrial tarantula native to the western faces of the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur mountain ranges in the Mexican states of Colima, Jalisco, and Michoacán. The species is a large spider, adult females having a total body length over 50 mm (2 in) and males having legs up to 75 mm (3 in) long. Mexican redknee tarantulas are a popular choice for enthusiasts. Like most tarantulas, it has a long lifespan.

<i>Annandaliella travancorica</i> Species of spider

Annandaliella travancorica is a species of tarantula spider found in the Western Ghats of India. It was the first of three members of the genus Annandaliella to be described, therefore the type species.

<i>Poecilotheria</i> Genus of spiders

Poecilotheria is a genus of Asian tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1885. They are arboreal tarantulas, commonly known as ornamental tarantulas, known for their vivid color patterns, fast movement, and potent venom compared to other tarantulas. As of 2019 all species are protected under CITES.

<i>Poecilotheria metallica</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria metallica, also known as the peacock tarantuala, is an Old World species of tarantula. It is the only blue species of the genus Poecilotheria. Like others in its genus it exhibits an intricate fractal-like pattern on the abdomen. The species' natural habitat is deciduous forest in Andhra Pradesh, in central southern India. It has been classified as Critically endangered by the IUCN.

<i>Poecilotheria regalis</i> Species of arachnid

Poecilotheria regalis is a species of arboreal tarantula and is found in parts of India. The common name for this spider is Indian ornamental tree spider, or simply Indian ornamental. It is one of the most popular arboreal tarantulas for amateur collectors. Their leg span sometimes exceeds 7 inches (18 cm).

Tarantula Family of spiders

Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. Currently, 1,010 species have been identified. 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.

This glossary describes the terms used in formal descriptions of spiders; where applicable these terms are used in describing other arachnids.

<i>Poecilotheria ornata</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria ornata, known as the fringed ornamental or ornate tiger spider, is a large arboreal tarantula, which is endemic to Sri Lanka. Their legspan sometimes reaches 10 inches (25 cm) in females, and is probably the second largest of the genus, behind Poecilotheria rufilata.

Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica, also known as the Rameshwaram ornamental, or Rameshwaram parachute spider, is a critically endangered species of tarantula.

<i>Poecilotheria rajaei</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria rajaei is a tarantula in the genus Poecilotheria endemic to Sri Lanka.

<i>Heteroscodra maculata</i> Species of tarantula

Heteroscodra maculata is an Old World species of tarantula which was first described in 1899 by Reginald Innes Pocock. This species native to West Africa and is found primarily in Togo and Ghana. This species has many common names, of which Togo starburst and ornamental baboon are most frequently encountered.

Poecilotheria miranda, also known as the Bengal ornamental is a species of tarantula. The species is endemic to India.

<i>Poecilotheria fasciata</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria fasciata, or the Sri Lanka ornamental, is a large arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to central Sri Lanka.

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

Poecilotheria smithi, or the yellow-backed ornamental, is a species of large arboreal tarantulas. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and considered to be critically endangered.

<i>Poecilotheria striata</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria striata, or the Mysore ornamental tarantula, is a large arboreal tarantula of the family Theraphosidae. It is endemic to India.

<i>Poecilotheria subfusca</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria subfusca, or the ivory ornamental, is a spider in the tarantula family, Theraphosidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. As of February 2019, the World Spider Catalog regarded Poecilotheria bara as a synonym. Other sources, particularly in the pet trade, have treated highland and lowland forms as distinct species, with the lowland forms being P. bara.

<i>Poecilotheria rufilata</i> Species of spider

Poecilotheria rufilata, also known as the red slate ornamental, reddish parachute spider, Travancore slate-red, or rufus parachute spider, is an arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to South Western Ghats of India. It is classed as "endangered", threatened by habitat loss and smuggling for the pet trade.

Poecilotheria tigrinawesseli, also known as Wessel's tiger ornamental or Anantagiri's parachute spider, is an arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to Eastern Ghats of India and known from six locations around Andhra Pradesh.

References

  1. 1 2 Siliwal, M.; Molur, S.; Daniel, B.A. (2008). "Poecilotheria striata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008: e.T63568A12691945. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T63568A12691945.en .
  2. 1 2 3 "Taxon details Poecilotheria vittata Pocock, 1895", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-02-29
  3. "Poecilotheria vittata". My Basic Tarantula. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  4. "Poecilotheria vittata - Ghost Ornamental Tarantula" . Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Nanayakkara, Ranil P. (2014). Tiger Spiders Poecilotheria of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environmental & Renewable Energy. p. 167. ISBN   978-955-0033-58-4.