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.
Tliltocatl albopilosus is a species of tarantula, also known as the curlyhair tarantula. The species' native range is Costa Rica. They are largely terrestrial, opportunistically burrowing 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.
The Mexican redleg or red-legged tarantula is a species of terrestrial tarantula closely related to the famous Mexican redknee tarantula. Like the redknee it is a docile tarantula and popular in the pet trade. It is slow growing and, like many tarantulas, females can live for decades.
The Texas brown tarantula, Aphonopelma hentzi, also known as the 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.
Hemidactylus acanthopholis is a species of house geckos from the Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu. Bearing a superficial resemblance to Hemidactylus maculatus, the species is usually found on large rocks or boulders. Growing 20–23 cm (7.9–9.1 in) in length, the species is an overall brown color, but has dark stripes on its back. It takes its name from the warty protuberances running along its dorsal surface. In the 1800s, Colonel R. H. Beddome had a collection of these specimens. Due to new agricultural practices, the preferred habitat of Hemidactylus acanthopholis has been destroyed. This species can be found during the dry season in the Kalakkad Mundanthirai Tiger Reserve and Tirunelveli.
The Ischnocolinae are a problematic subfamily of tarantulas. In 1892, Eugène Simon based the group, which he noted was only weakly homogeneous, on the presence of divided tarsal scopulae. This feature was later considered to be plesiomorphic, and both morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that, as traditionally circumscribed, the subfamily is not monophyletic. A much more narrowly defined Ischnocolinae sensu stricto was proposed in 2014. One of the authors of that proposal subsequently said that no further taxonomic changes should be considered until there had been a more comprehensive sampling of the subfamily. As of January 2021, the status of the Ischnocolinae remains unresolved.
Neoheterophrictus is a genus of tarantula in the family Theraphosidae. It comprises 8 species, all found in India.
Neoheterophrictus bhori is a species of tarantula. It is native to Parambiculam, Western Ghats, Cochin province, India, in present-day Kerala state.
The Eumenophorinae are a subfamily of tarantula spiders. They are known from genera distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa, the south of the Arabian peninsula, Madagascar and its associated islands, and parts of India.
Neoheterophrictus amboli is a species of theraphosid spiders, which is found in India.
Neoheterophrictus smithi is a species of tarantulas, native to India.
Haploclastus psychedelicus, synonym Thrigmopoeus psychedelicus, is a theraphosid spider. It is native to India.
Clavopelma is a monotypic genus of Mexican tarantulas containing the single species, Clavopelma tamaulipeca. It is a reddish-brown spider with thick, wooly golden-brown hair. Its legs are a darker shade of brown than the carapace, with setae that are stiffer than the hair on its body. Both sets of eyes are more or less equal in length, though the forward set is sharply procurved.
Haploclastus is a genus of Indian tarantulas that was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1892. It is considered a senior synonym of Phlogiodes.
Heterophrictus is a genus of Indian tarantulas that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1900.
Metriopelma is a monotypic genus of Mexican tarantulas currently containing the single species, Metriopelma breyeri. It was first described by Léon Becker (1826–1909) in 1878, and originally found by Eugenio Dugès (1834–1895). This tarantula was named after Albert Breyer (1812–1876), a fellow entomologist. It is native to Mexico in the state of Guanajuato.
Sahydroaraneus is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae. It is found in India and was first described in 2014 by Mirza & Sanap.
Sericopelma embrithes is a tarantula that is native to Panama. To date, only specimens from Barro Colorado Island have been studied. Like other tarantulas, it is relatively large compared to other spiders. It can grow up to 59 mm long, including its chelicerae. S. embrithes is data deficient according to the IUCN.
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.
