Biology:Brachypelma vagans
| Brachypelma vagans | |
|---|---|
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| Female | |
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. vagans
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachypelma vagans Ausserer, 1875[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Brachypelma vagans is a species of tarantula known commonly as the Mexican red rump. It has been proposed that the species should be moved to the genus Tliltocatl. It ranges predominantly in Mexico (including the Yucatán Peninsula), but is also found in Central America.[1] They are terrestrial, burrowing spiders. The reason for the name red rump is because of its distinctive red hairs on its abdomen. Like most tarantulas, they will eat anything they can overpower, which is usually insects, but small lizards and rodents may also be consumed. They can grow up to a solid 6.5 inch leg span, with males typically being smaller and thinner than the females. They prefer shrubland habitats.
In 1996, Brachypelma vagans was discovered in the wild in St. Lucie County, Florida. It is now considered an established non-native species in that state, where it is thought to have been introduced through either accidental or intentional releases of specimens imported via the pet trade, although their numbers have been dwindling due to many B. vagans eating insects poisoned by pesticides.
Taxonomy
It has been proposed that the genus Brachypelma should be split up. This species would become Tliltocatl vagans.[2] (As of November 2019), the proposal has not been accepted by the World Spider Catalog.[1]
In captivity
B. vagans is frequently kept and bred in captivity. They are typically docile, though they can be skittish and prone to releasing urticating hairs. Females are long-lived, potentially reaching 15 years of age. Due to its popularity in the pet trade, B. vagans is listed under appendix II of CITES to prevent illegal removal and international trade. This trade, combined with habitat destruction and a high rate of mortality prior to sexual maturity, means that B. vagans is considered vulnerable to extinction.[3]
In traditional Mayan medicine
The Ch'ol Maya consider these spiders to be positive, and use them medicinally. A hierbatero kills it, then crushes it, mixes it with spirit alcohol and strains out any irritating hairs with a traditional cloth. The beverage is used for the treatment of "tarantula wind", the symptoms being chest pain, coughing and asthma. The venom peptide GsMtx-4 is being investigated for the possible treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, muscular dystrophy and glioma.[4]
Gallery
Juvenile feeding on a mealworm
Exoskeleton
Adult
Freshly molted
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Taxon details Brachypelma vagans (Ausserer, 1875)". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/species/37263. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
- ↑ Mendoza, Jorge & Francke, Oscar (4 November 2019), "Systematic revision of Mexican threatened tarantulas Brachypelma (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae), with a description of a new genus, and implications on the conservation", Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society: zlz046, doi:10.1093/zoolinnean
- ↑ "Mexican redrump tarantula (Brachypelma vagans)". Wildscreen. http://www.arkive.org/mexican-redrump-tarantula/brachypelma-vagans/. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
- ↑ Salima Machkour-M'Rabet; Yann Hénaut (2011). "A case of zootherapy with the tarantula Brachypelma vagans Ausserer, 1875 in traditional medicine of the Chol Mayan ethnic group in Mexico". http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/12#B38.
External links
- Brachypelma vagans photos
- Brachypelmas.co.uk
- Mexican redrump tarantula on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
Wikidata ☰ Q137136 entry
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