Tliltocatl andrewi (synonymBrachypelma andrewi) is a possible species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). The World Spider Catalog regards it as a nomen dubium (dubious name). Only the male has been described and its distribution is unknown.[1]
Only a male preserved since 1875 has been described, initially incorrectly as Euathlus truculentus. Its body length is 55mm; the fourth leg is longest at 67mm. The general colour is blackish brown, with long orange-red hairs on the abdomen and legs. The femurs of the legs have bronze gold hairs.[2] The palpal bulb has a wide embolus tapering to a point,[2] typical of Brachypelma species (as then understood) as opposed to the long tapered embolus of Euathlus species.[3]
Taxonomy
In a study published in 1992, Andrew Smith described a specimen in the British Museum of Natural History believing it to be a male of Euathlus truculentus. He used his description to support the view held at the time that the genus Brachypelma was synonymous with Euathlus.[2] However, shortly afterwards in 1992, Günter Schmidt realized that this specimen was not the same species as the type of Euathlus truculentus, but was in fact a new species of Brachypelma (as then understood), which he called B.andrewi after Andrew Smith. Smith accepted that he had been mistaken.[3]As of September2017[update], only this male has been described. The species was transferred to Tliltocatl, along with other species of Brachypelma, in 2020.[1]
Distribution
The label on the described specimen says "Cuba", but this is considered unlikely as its place of origin, the presumption being that it was purchased in Havana, Cuba.[2]
1 2 3 4 Smith, A.M. (1992), "In defence of Raven's decision to make the genus Brachypelma Simon 1891 a junior synonymy [sic] of Euathlus Ausserer 1895", British Tarantula Society Journal, 7 (3): 14–19
1 2 Schmidt, G. (1992), "Brachypelma Simon 1890 oder Euathlus Ausserer 1875? (Araneida: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)", Arachnologischer Anzeiger (in German), 3 (1): 9–11
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