Striped Thai tarantula
| Striped Thai tarantula | ||||||||||||
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Striped Thai tarantula ( Cyriopagopus albostriatus ), female |
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| Cyriopagopus albostriatus | ||||||||||||
| ( Simon , 1886) |
The striped Thai tarantula ( Cyriopagopus albostriatus , synonym : Haplopelma albostriatum ) is a spider from the family of tarantulas (Theraphosidae). The species is widespread in northern Southeast Asia and is considered a delicacy in Thailand and Cambodia .
The English trivial names of the species are Thailand black velvet tarantula ("Black Thailand velvet tarantula "), Thailand earth tiger (tarantula) (" Thailand earth tiger (tarantula )"), Thailand zebra tarantula ("Thailand zebra tarantula") and together with the black Thai tarantula belonging to the same genus, Thailand black (tarantula) ("Black Thai (land) tarantula") and Edible tarantula ("Edible tarantula").
features
The striped Thai tarantula reaches a body length of about 50 and a maximum of 60 millimeters. As with other tarantulas, the male is smaller and more graceful than the female. The leg span of the species is said to be up to 130 millimeters.
The color of the striped Thai tarantula can be very variable. The basic color ranges from beige to dark brown. Through the beige setae (hairs) on the carapace (back plate of the prosoma or front body). A typical feature, which also gives the striped Thai tarantula part of its trivial name , are the two white longitudinal stripes that extend over the patellae (limbs between the femora (thigh) and tibia (greaves)) and the tibia of all extremities. The striped Thai tarantula is the only species of the genus to have eight to 11 thorns on the sutures of the coxae(Hips) of the pedipalps (transformed extremities in the head area).
Genital morphological features
There is no detailed information about the genital morphological characteristics of the striped Thai tarantula. The structure of the bulbi (male sexual organs) and that of the epigyne (female sexual organ) corresponds predominantly to that of other members of the species group of the black Thai tarantula ( Cyriopagopus minax ), the so-called Cyriopagopus minax species group, which, in addition to this and the striped Thai Tarantula also includes the blue Burma tarantula ( C. lividus ) and the Vietnam tiger tarantula ( C. longipes ).
Like many tarantulas, the bulbi also have tibia apophyses ( chitinized appendages ) in the species of this group of species, including the striped Thai tarantula . In contrast to the species of the Ornithoctonus genus, which belong to the same subfamily, there is no notch on the ventral side (underside) of a single globe at the transition to the embolus (last sclerite or hard part of an globe).
Another species group of the genus Cyriopagopus is named after the blue tiger tarantula ( C. schmidti ) and is therefore known as the Cyriopagopus schmidti species group. In addition to C. schmidti , the black tiger tarantula ( C. hainanus ) belongs to this group. The structure of the epigyne (female sex organ) is an essential feature that distinguishes the striped Thai tarantula and other species of the Cyriopagopus minax species group from the Cyriopagopus schmidti species group. Because the sperm library(Seed pouch) of the epigyne of the species group of the black Thai tarantula together with the striped Thai tarantula is, in contrast to those of the other species group, completely subdivided or has a clear indentation. In the other group of species, the spermathec is only divided up to half. Furthermore, the epigyne of all species of the group of the black Thai tarantula shows a slight depression in the center.
Similar species
The striped Thai tarantula is characterized within the genus Cyriopagopus by the stripes on the extremities and the smaller number of thorns on the pedipalps. However, there are some morphological similarities with the species of the Cyriopagopus minax species group and with those of other genera within the subfamily of the Ornithoctoninae .
The species group of the blue tiger tarantula ( C. schmidti ) differs from that of the black Thai tarantula, including the striped Thai tarantula, in that it lacks a retrolateral brush made of long white hair above the scopulae (limb hairs ) on the chelicerae Receptaculum showing no clear indentation in the middle.
The partially similar species of the genus Lampropelma , unlike the Cyriopagopus minax species group, have no dense hairbrushes on the retrolateral side of the femores (thighs) of the first pair of legs. The species of the genus Cyriopagopus have no more than three spines ventrally, apically, retrolaterally and prolaterally on the tibia of the first pair of legs. They also have a significantly smaller clypeus. This also applies to the representatives of the genus Phormingochilus , in which, moreover, the front sternum is not very narrow and in which the males have no tibial apophysis. The black Thai tarantula and its species group can be from the species of the genusCitharognathus can be distinguished by the fact that the fourth pair of legs is significantly thinner than the first, which alsoappliesto the tibia (leg braces) compared to the femora (thighs) of the fourth pair of legs. Furthermore, they do not have numerous and thickened hairs on the metatarsi (heel links of the tarsi or foot links) on the dorsal side of the fourth pair of legs.
Occurrence
The range of the striped Thai tarantula extends over Myanmar , Thailand , Laos , Cambodia and Vietnam . The main distribution area of the species is in Cambodia near its capital Phnom Penh .
As habitats (habitats) of the striped Thai tarantula, the tropical and monsoon -shaped rainforests in their area of distribution come into question. In addition, the species inhabits bamboo groves and rice fields .
Way of life
The striped Thai tarantula, like all species of the subfamily of the Ornithoctoninae, is one of the ground-dwelling tarantulas and accordingly digs living tubes lined with webs , which in this species can be quite deep and also run vertically. The nocturnal striped Thai tarantula prefers to stay there and is rarely seen outside of the living tube during the day.
Hunting behavior and range of prey
Like almost all spiders, the striped Thai tarantula feeds predatory on other living beings and hunts as a prey hunter , as is usual for tarantulas . Potential prey animals are located by the striped Thai tarantula using the sensilla (sensory hair) based on their movements and vibrations. If they get within range, the spider jumps at them and puts it out of action with a poisonous bite using the chelicerae (jaw claws) before they are eaten.
As with other tarantulas, the prey spectrum of the striped Thai tarantula is made up of other arthropods as well as small vertebrates of suitable size.
Defense behavior and possibilities
Like other Asian tarantulas, the striped Thai tarantula is very aggressive compared to South American tarantula species, but still prefers to retreat to its own shelter in the event of disturbances. If this is not possible or if the spider continues to be harassed, it takes the threatening gesture typical of tarantulas , in which the spider straightens up, erects the front extremities and spreads the chelicerae and hits the attacker with the extremities. A defensive bite is the spider's last defense.
Life cycle
The life cycle of the striped Thai tarantula runs like other spiders in several stages. As with other spider species common in the tropics, there is no uniform phenology (activity time), which means that the species is active all year round - during the monsoon rainy season, however, significantly higher than in drier periods.
The mating behavior of the striped Thai tarantula is similar to that of other tarantulas. A sexually mature male, who has previously taken sperm into his bulbi via the so-called “sperm net”, visits the den of a female ready to mate. One of these secretes pheromones (messenger substances) that the male can perceive even from a long distance and thus helps him to find a sexual partner. Arriving at the female's shelter, the male begins a courtship dance typical of tarantulas . When the female replies that the male is willing to mate, mating takes place.
Although mating is mostly peaceful, the female occasionally shows aggressive behavior towards the male. About two to three months after mating, the female makes an egg cocoon that contains about 100 to 200 eggs. In captivity, hatching was noted about eight weeks (depending on the housing conditions) after the cocoons were made. The hatched young of the striped Thai tarantula grow up quickly, as with all species of the genus.
Systematics
The striped Thai tarantula was first described in 1886 by its first describer Eugène Simon in the genus Selenocosmia and was given the name S. albostriata . Under Reginald Innes Pocock , the species was converted to the genus Melopoeus in 1895 and was henceforth listed as M. albostriatus for a long time . Another change was made in 1996 by Andrew M. Smith , when the striped Thai tarantula was transferred to the genus Haplopelma and thus the name that is now considered a synonym but is still in useH. albostriatum received. The genus Haplopelma was dissolved by Smith and Arnold Jacobi in 2015 and all of its species including the striped Thai tarantula were reclassified to the genus Cyriopagopus . The species received its current name C. albostriatus .
The species name albostriatus is the combination of two Latin words. In albo is a derivative of the characteristic word albus , which translates as "white" means. Striatus means "striped", which means the species name is "white-striped" and can be traced back to the light stripes on the extremities of the striped Thai tarantula.
Striped Thai tarantula and human
Their adaptation to artificial and human habitats such as plantations and rice fields makes the involuntary meeting of spiders and humans in their natural habitat likely. Like other Old World tarantulas , the striped Thai tarantula is known for painful bites. Nevertheless, it is a popular pet in the terrarium hobby and is also regarded as food in certain regions.
Terrariums
The striped Thai tarantula is one of the popular terrarium animals because of its size and drawing, like many tarantulas . In order to keep the species successfully, the terrarium must have a correspondingly deep and soft substrate due to its ability to dig. The tropical climate of the natural range of the striped Thai tarantula in captivity must also be simulated as well as possible. When keeping the species, attention should also be paid to the irritability of all members of the genus Cyriopagopus and the very withdrawn way of life. A successful socialization of the striped Thai tarantula with conspecifics or other arthropods is not possible.
The striped Thai tarantula for food
The striped Thai tarantula, like the related black Thai tarantula ( Cyriopagopus minax ), is a delicacy in Thailand and Cambodia and is served as a fried spider . As such, the species is today, especially in the north of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh located village Skuon desires. The spider's use as food is believed to have spread particularly during the Khmer Rouge regime, which lasted from 1975 to 1979 , when the rural areas of Cambodia experienced food shortages.
For the preparation the trapping furrows of the chelicerae of the still living spider are removed. It is then toasted in glutamate, salt and sugar before the still alive spider is fried in a pan with the addition of garlic. The prepared spider is considered ready to serve when the legs reach a certain firmness, which they take on during roasting. The taste is described as a mix of chicken and cod.
Threat and protection
No information is available about possible threats to the population of the striped Thai tarantula, as the species is not evaluated by the IUCN . As a result, it is not subject to any protection status.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) at Eckis Vogelspinnenzucht, accessed on November 11, 2020.
- ↑ a b c d e f Hans W. Kothe: Vogelspinnen. 1st edition. Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 2003, p. 32, ISBN 3-4400-9367-0 .
- ↑ a b c Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) from Mike's Basic Tarantula, accessed November 20, 2020.
- ↑ Cyriopagopus (Simon, 1887) at giantspiders.com, accessed November 11, 2020.
- ↑ a b c d e f V. von Wirth, M. Huber: DeArGe Mitteilungen 7 , Heft 11, 2002, pp. 6–7, ISSN 1437-5214, accessed on November 11, 2020.
- ↑ Volker von Wirth: A new species of tarantula from Vietnam Haplopelma schmidti sp. n. (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Ornithoctoninae) , Arachnologischer Anzeiger 18, pp. 6-11, accessed on November 11, 2020.
- ↑ a b V. von Wirth, B. Striffler: New findings on tarantulas - subfamily Ornithoctoninae, with description of Ornithoctonus aureotibialis sp. n. and Ornithoctonus aureotibialis sp. n. and Ornithoctonus aureotibialisHaplopelma longipes sp. n. Haplopelma longipes sp. n. Haplopelma longipes (Araneae, Theraphosidae) , Arthropoda 13, Volume 2, 2005, pp. 2–27, accessed on November 11, 2020.
- ↑ Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) in the World Spider Catalog , accessed November 11, 2020.
- ↑ a b Spectrum of Science : Spectrum Compact - Exotic Food: Our International Menu , Spectrum of Science, 2020, p. 65, ISBN 9783958924673 .
- ↑ Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) from Tarantupedia, accessed November 11, 2020.
literature
- Hans W. Kothe: tarantulas. 1st edition, Franckh-Kosmos, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-4400-9367-0 .
- Volker von Wirth: tarantulas. 1st edition. Gräfe and Unzer, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-8338-2151-6 .
- V. von Wirth, B. Striffler: New findings on tarantulas - subfamily Ornithoctoninae, with description of Ornithoctonus aureotibialis sp. n. and Haplopelma longipes sp. n. (Araneae, Theraphosidae) . Arthropoda 13, 2, pp. 2-27, 2005.
- V. von Wirth, M. Huber: DeArGe Mitteilungen 7 , Issue 11, pp. 6-7, 2002, ISSN 1437-5214.
- Volker von Wirth: A new species of tarantula from Vietnam Haplopelma schmidti sp. n. (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Ornithoctoninae) , Arachnologischer Anzeiger 18, pp. 6-11, 1991.
- Spectrum of Science : Spectrum Compact - Exotic Foods: Our International Menu , Spectrum of Science, 2020, p. ISBN 9783958924673 .
Web links
- Cyriopagopus albostriatus in the World Spider Catalog
- Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) at Tarantupedia
- Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) at Eckis tarantula breeding
Cyriopagopus albostriatus (Simon, 1886) at Mike's Basic Tarantula
- Cyriopagopus (Simon, 1887) at giantspiders.com