Brachypelma albiceps
Brachypelma albiceps | |
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Subadult female in captivity | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
Family: | Theraphosidae |
Genus: | Brachypelma |
Species: | B. albiceps
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Binomial name | |
Brachypelma albiceps | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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Brachypelma albiceps is a species of spider in the tarantula family, Theraphosidae.[2] 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 (up to 20). Males usually live about 5 years or up to 12 months after the last molt.[3][4]
Description
Females of Brachypelma albiceps have a body length of about 65 mm. The fourth leg is longest at about 60 mm. The carapace is covered with fine hair; its apparent color depends on the illumination, varying from sandy grey through to rose or yellow. The pedipalps and the first two pairs of legs may be lighter than the last two pairs of legs. The abdomen is dark with bright red longish hairs (setae). The spermatheca has two rounded seminal receptacles.[5][6]
Taxonomy
Brachypelma albiceps has a somewhat tangled taxonomic history. In 1897,
In 1997, Günter Schmidt described a new species, Brachypelmides ruhnaui from both sexes,[9] and in 2004, transferred Pocock's Brachypelma albiceps to Brachypelmides.[10] In 2005, Arturo Locht et al. restored Smith's Aphonopelma albiceps to its current genus Brachypelma and also synonymized Schmidt's Brachypelmides ruhnaui.[11][2]
Distribution and habitat
Brachypelma albiceps is endemic to the central highlands of Mexico, especially in Guerrero and south of Morelos. In the wild, they build long burrows, typically under large rocks, but may inhabit nests abandoned by rodents or other animals. They are most active at night and dusk.[3]
Conservation
In 1994, all Brachypelma species were placed on CITES Appendix II, thus restricting trade.[12] Nevertheless, large numbers of tarantulas caught in the wild continue to be smuggled out of Mexico, including species of Brachypelma.[13]
Food
Their diet typically includes
Reproduction
Females lay cocoons containing roughly 500 (up to 900) eggs two months after mating. Spiderlings hatch 8–10 weeks later.[3]
Pets
B. albiceps is commonly available at pet stores. Lighting is not needed, as these spiders naturally prefer darkness.[3]
References
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ a b c d "Taxon details Brachypelma albiceps Pocock, 1903". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2017-09-29.
- ^ a b c d "Brachypelma albiceps". 14 January 2020.
- ^ "Brachypelma albiceps (Mexican Golden Redrump Tarantula)". Archived from the original on 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-9510939-9-3p. 136.
- ISBN 978-3-933443-06-9.
- ^ Pickard-Cambridge, F.O. (1897). "Eurypelma pallidum, sp. n.". Arachnida - Araneida and Opiliones, vol. 2. Biologia Centrali-Americana. London. p. 21.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - .
- ^ Schmidt, G. (1997). "Eine zweite Brachypelmides-Art aus Mexiko: Brachypelmides ruhnaui n. sp. (Arachnida: Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)". Entomologische Zeitschrift, Frankfurt a.M. (in German). 107: 205–208.
- ^ Schmidt, G. (2004). "Die Gattung Brachypelmides Schmidt & Krause, 1994 (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)". Tarantulas of the World (in German). 99: 4–5.
- ^ Locht, A.; Medina, F.; Rojo, R. & Vázquez, I. (2005). "Una nueva especie de tarántula del género Aphonopelma Pocock 1901 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) de México con notas sobre el género Brachypelma Simon 1891". Boletín de la Sociedad Entomologica Aragonesa (in Spanish). 37: 105–108.
- ^ "Brachypelma smithi (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897): Documents". Species+. UNEP-WCMC & CITES Secretariat. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
- S2CID 89587966.
External links
- Hijmensen, Eddy (2011). "Brachypelma albiceps". mantid.nl. Retrieved 2017-10-05. – photographs taken in the wild