Biology:Brachypelma andrewi
| Brachypelma andrewi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Brachypelma |
| Species: | B. andrewi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Brachypelma andrewi Schmidt, 1992[1]
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Brachypelma andrewi is a species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). Only the male has been described and its distribution is unknown.[1]
Description
Only a male preserved since 1875 has been described, initially incorrectly as Euathlus truculentus. Its body length is 55 mm; the fourth leg is longest at 67 mm. 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 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, which he called B. andrewi after Andrew Smith. Smith accepted that he had been mistaken.[3] (As of September 2017), only this male has been described.
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]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Taxon details Brachypelma andrewi Schmidt, 1992", World Spider Catalog (Natural History Museum Bern), http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/species/37246, retrieved 2017-09-29
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 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
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Schmidt, G. (1992), "Brachypelma Simon 1890 oder Euathlus Ausserer 1875? (Araneida: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)" (in de), Arachnologischer Anzeiger 3 (1): 9–11
Wikidata ☰ Q2715553 entry
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