Photos: Colorful Tarantulas Found

Tickled Pink

Photograph courtesy Rogério Bertani

The pink-hued Typhochlaena amma is one of five recently discovered tarantula species belonging to the genus Typhochlaena. The newfound species are the smallest tree-dwelling tarantulas so far discovered, at only 2 to 3 centimeters (20 to 30 millimeters) long, Bertani said.

A lone specimen of the genus Typhochlaena was first found in 1841, but it was later dismissed as a juvenile of another genus, Avicularia, which is very common in the Amazon Basin.

Recently Bertani was given a specimen of Typhochlaena amma that, while small, was clearly a mature adult. After inspecting other scientific collections of spiders, Bertani and his collaborators have now resurrected Typhochlaena as a group in its own right.

"From a dubious species from 1841, we have now five species," Bertani said.

(See "Tarantulas Shoot Silk From Feet, Spider-Man Style.")

Published November 2, 2012

Racing Stripes

Photograph courtesy Rogério Bertani

This newfound tree-dwelling tarantula, Iridopelma katiae, was discovered on a Brazilian mesa that has rocky soil and few trees.

Bertani said, "I did not expect to find any species of a [tree-dwelling] genus" on the mesa—until he found a "beautiful black tarantula with a vivid reddish abdomen" and another one of the same species, a mother with her spiderlings.

The spiders were discovered inside a bromeliad, a type of pineapple relative that, by providing tarantulas water and shade, serve as oases in otherwise inhospitable terrain.

(See "Untangling Spiders' Evolutionary Web.")

Published November 2, 2012

Blue, Hairy, and Rare

Photograph courtesy Rogério Bertani

Looking more Brillo pad than arachnid, Pachistopelma bromelicola (pictured), is the second known species of tarantula to live exclusively inside bromeliad plants, of which some species attach themselves to trees and rocks.

Tree-dwelling tarantulas' attractive colors might have a dark side: Scientists are concerned the newfound tarantulas could be tempting targets for the pet trade.

Published November 2, 2012

Surprise Tree-Dweller

Photograph courtesy Rogério Bertani

Most tree-dwelling tarantulas are found in Amazon, but the newfound tarantulas—including Iridopelma marcoi (pictured)—were unexpectedly discovered in the Brazilian savanna.

The discoveries illustrate how much might remain to be discovered in the wild, noted Bertani, whose study was published online October 30 in the journal ZooKeys.

Published November 2, 2012

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Photograph by Ken Blye

Published November 2, 2012