Sericopelma

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Sericopelma
Sericopelma cf. embrithes ZooKeys 562.jpg
Species from Barro Colorado Island, possibly S. embrithes
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: Sericopelma
Ausserer, 1875 [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • HarpaxictisSimon, 1892

Sericopelma is a genus of tarantula (family Theraphosidae), 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".

Contents

Description

Spiders in the genus Sericopelma are some of the largest found in Central America. Males have bodies 65–80 mm (2.6–3.1 in) long, females are somewhat longer at 70–100 mm (2.8–3.9 in). They can be kept as pets in terraria, although S. melanotarsum is described as "very aggressive". [2]

Diagnosis

Characters that distinguish species of the genus Sericopelma from other theraphosids found in the same localities include the following. The carapace is longer than wide, with a deep transverse pit (fovea) and distinct grooves radiating from it. The femur of the fourth leg has a dense pad of feathery (plumose) hair on the side facing away from the head of the animal (retrolateral); the metatarsus of the same leg has a divided and reduced trace of tuft-like (scopulate) hairs at the end furthest from the body. The first leg lacks stridulatory hairs. Females have spermathecae with a single lobe, expanded at the apex to form a P-shape in cross-section. Males lack tibial spurs and their palpal bulbs have an embolus of a characteristic shape. [3]

Taxonomy

Sericopelma was initially described by Anton Ausserer in 1875 as a subgenus of Eurypelma (now Avicularia ) with the type species E. rubronitens . It was given full generic status by Simon in 1892. Until the middle of the 20th century only males were known by formal descriptions. The genus as a whole was described in 2015 as "poorly defined". Confusion with genera such as Brachypelma has been frequent; two species were transferred from that genus in 2015. [3]

A molecular phylogenetic study in 2016 produced the cladogram shown below, showing that Sericopelma is embedded in the genus Aphonopelma , as the latter is currently circumscribed. It is likely that generic boundaries will change with further research. [4]

Aphonopelma species from Central America

Sericopelma

Aphonopelma species from the US

Species

As of May 2022, the World Spider Catalog accepted 14 species: [1]

In synonymy

Nomen dubium

  • Sericopelma striatum(Ausserer, 1871)Venezuela

Transferred to other genera

Distribution

Specimens placed in the genus have been given localities ranging from Mexico to Brazil. However, detailed studies by Gabriel and Longhorn in 2011 and 2015 suggest that some of these were errors, and that the true range of the genus is from Nicaragua to Panama. [5] [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>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>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.

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

Brachypelma albiceps is a species of spider in the tarantula family, Theraphosidae. 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. Males usually live about 5 years or up to 12 months after the last molt.

Cyclosternum is a genus of tarantulas that was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1871.

Aphonopelma chamberlini, also known as the Paso Robles rusty red tarantula, is regarded by some sources as a tarantula species endemic to California, and by others as synonymous with Aphonopelma iodius.

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

Aphonopelma johnnycashi is a species of tarantula. It was found in 2015 near Folsom Prison in California and named after Johnny Cash, whose song "Folsom Prison Blues" made the prison famous. Mature males are generally black, and the country music singer was also known as "The Man in Black".

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

Aphonopelma steindachneri is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States (California) and Mexico.

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

Aphonopelma moderatum is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in United States, in the state of Texas. Commonly called the Rio Grande Gold Tarantula as they are found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

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

Aphonopelma vorhiesi is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae, found in Arizona and New Mexico. This species looks similar to the Aphonopelma chalcodes, but it is far more rare in captivity.

Aphonopelma phasmus is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae. It is only known from a single adult male collected near the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino County, Arizona. The female is unknown.

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.

Sericopelma angustum, is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae found in Costa Rica The species was formerly included in the genus Brachypelma.

<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.

<i>Sericopelma embrithes</i> Species of spider

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Gen. Sericopelma Ausserer, 1875", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-02-15
  2. Schmidt, G. (2003), "Gattung Sericopelma Ausserer, 1875", Die Vogelspinnen: Eine weltweite Übersicht, Neue Brehm-Bücherei (in German), Hohenwarsleben: Westarp Wissenschaften, pp. 186–187, ISBN   978-3-89432-899-3
  3. 1 2 3 Gabriel, Ray & Longhorn, Stuart J. (2015), "Revised generic placement of Brachypelma embrithes (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1936) and Brachypelma angustum Valerio, 1980, with definition of the taxonomic features for identification of female Sericopelma Ausserer, 1875 (Araneae, Theraphosidae)", ZooKeys (526): 75–104, Bibcode:2015ZooK..526...75G, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.526.6315 , PMC   4607846 , PMID   26487826
  4. Hamilton, C.A.; Hendrixson, B.E. & Bond, J.E. (2016), "Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States", ZooKeys (560): 1–340, Bibcode:2016ZooK..560....1H, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.560.6264 , PMC   4768370 , PMID   27006611
  5. Gabriel, R. & Longhorn, S.J. (2011), "Redescriptions of the holotypes of Mygalarachnae [sic] Ausserer 1871 and Harpaxictis Simon (1892) (Araneae: Theraphosidae) with rebuttal of their synonymy with Sericopelma Ausserer 1875", Revista Ibérica de Aracnología , 19: 157–165