Brown shark tarantula

Brown shark tarantula
	Brown shark tarantula ( Phormictopus cancerides ), female
Systematics
Order :	Spiders (Araneae)
Subordination :	Tarantulas (Mygalomorphae)
Family :	Tarantulas (Theraphosidae)
Subfamily :	Theraphosinae
Genre :	Phormictopus
Type :	Brown shark tarantula
Scientific name
	Phormictopus cancerides
	( Latreille , 1806)

The brown shark tarantula or just Haiti tarantula ( Phormictopus cancerides ) is a spider from the family of tarantulas (Theraphosidae). Contrary to its common name, it also occurs in other parts of Central and South America .

In English, the species Hispaniolan Giant Tarantula or Haitian Brown Tarantula (translated " Hispaniola -Riesenvogelspinne" and, identical to the German name, "Brown Haiti tarantula") is called.

features

Illustration of a male

The brown shark tarantula reaches a body length of around 70 to 80 millimeters and is therefore one of the larger tarantulas. The species has a comparatively slim build. The basic color ranges from reddish to brown to black-brown. The copper and metallic shimmer on the carapace (back shield of the prosoma or front body) is striking . A noticeable feature is the fourth pair of legs, which are significantly longer than the previous one. The Brown Haiti tarantula has on the whole body a dense, reddish-brown body hair except for the typical tarantulas eyes hill , which has pink hair. The species has stridulation organs on the chelicerae (jaw claws), with which noises can be generated through friction. Predators (predators) can be driven away by these vocalizations. It also has stinging hairs and can therefore defend itself not only from a bite but also by bombarding it with these strippable hairs.

Similar species

Females of the closely related species Phormictopus auratus

The brown shark tarantula is sometimes confused with the closely related species Phormictopus auratus . However, this has a golden shimmering carapace. This species is endemic to Cuba . Since both the brown shark tarantula and Phormictopus auratus occur there, confusion of the two species in natural space can only happen there.

Occurrence

One of the typical open landscapes in the Dominican Republic where the brown shark tarantula is found.

The brown shark tarantula inhabits both the island of Hispaniola , on which the states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are located, as well as other islands in the Caribbean , especially the West Indies . The distribution area also extends over large parts of Central and South America to Brazil . The spider prefers to live in areas that are moderately humid and overgrown with bushes.

Threat and protection

No information is available on possible threats to the brown shark tarantula. Their inventory is not recorded by the IUCN .

Way of life

Female outside of his shelter

The brown shark tarantula is one of the ground-dwelling tarantulas and, like many of these spiders, digs a living tube, although many specimens also accept a suitable hiding place and then expand this into their shelter. Like all tarantulas, this species is mainly nocturnal and especially at this time it leaves its shelter in search of potential prey. In contrast to some other members of the family, the Haiti tarantula can also be found outside of the shelter on the day. The species is one of the more aggressive tarantulas and, when defending itself, tends to not only make threatening gestures but also to poison bites or bombardment with stinging hair to ward off enemies.

Phenology and reproduction

Exuvia after a second molt of a young animal

The brown shark tarantula does not hibernate and can therefore be found all year round. The mating behavior of the species is no different from that of other tarantulas. Some time after mating, the female makes an egg cocoon that contains up to 200 eggs. The young animals, which are initially around five millimeters in size, hatch after about eight to ten weeks and, as is usual with spiders, grow over several moults. They differ from the adult animals up to the sixth scavenging skin (stage in spiders) by their blue-black color. The maximum lifespan of the brown shark tarantula is 20 years, although this only applies to females. The males are much more short-lived.

Terrariums

Like many tarantulas, the brown shark tarantula is often kept as a pet in terrariums . This is due to its distinctive appearance as well as the fact that it is diurnal and likes to show itself outside of its shelter. However, one should be aware of the aggressiveness and defensiveness of this type before purchasing. Due to the comparatively uncomplicated mating, there are also many offspring of the brown shark tarantula in trade.

Systematics

The brown shark tarantula has been assigned to other genera several times. Latreille described the species in 1806 as Mygale cancerides . The current generic combination Phormictopus cancerides has been accepted almost consistently since it was first used by Pocock in 1901. The species is also the type species of the genus Phormictopus . Synonyms are: