Brachypelma Albiceps

''Brachypelma albiceps'' is a species of spider in the tarantula family, Theraphosidae. It is known as the Mexican golden red rump tarantula or the Amula red rump tarantula. The carapace is a light golden color and the abdomen dark, covered with long red hairs. Females typically live for about 15 years (up to 20). Males usually live about 5 years or up to 12 months after the last molt.

Description

Females of ''Brachypelma albiceps'' have a body length of about 65 mm. The fourth leg is longest at about 60 mm. The carapace is covered with fine hair; its apparent color depends on the illumination, varying from sandy grey through to rose or yellow. The pedipalps and the first two pairs of legs may be lighter than the last two pairs of legs. The abdomen is dark with bright red longish hairs (setae). The spermatheca has two rounded seminal receptacles.

Taxonomy

''Brachypelma albiceps'' has a somewhat tangled taxonomic history. In 1897, F. O. Pickard-Cambridge described the species ''Eurypelma pallidum'' (now '' Aphonopelma pallidum'') on the basis of two males collected in Chihuahua, Mexico. He assumed that two female specimens, collected independently in Guerrero, belonged to the same species. In 1903, R. I. Pocock used the new name ''Brachypelma albiceps'' for these two females. He did not give a full description, merely saying in a footnote that the name was for the females from Guerrero that Pickard-Cambridge had doubtfully assigned to the same species as the males. Alexander Petrunkevitch in 1939 and Carl Roewer in 1942 restored Pickard-Cambridge's original name, treating ''albiceps'' in this context as a junior synonym of ''pallidum''. After studying the original specimens (which neither Petrunkevitch nor Roewer had done), Andew Smith in 1995 reinstated Pocock's distinction, recognizing the females as a separate species, which, however, he placed in the genus ''Aphonopelma'' rather than ''Brachypelma''.

In 1997, Günter Schmidt described a new species, ''Brachypelmides ruhnaui'' from both sexes, and in 2004, transferred Pocock's ''Brachypelma albiceps'' to ''Brachypelmides''. In 2005, Arturo Locht et al. restored Smith's ''Aphonopelma albiceps'' to its current genus ''Brachypelma'' and also synonymized Schmidt's ''Brachypelmides ruhnaui''.

Distribution and habitat

''Brachypelma albiceps'' is endemic to the central highlands of Mexico, especially in Guerrero and south of Morelos. In the wild, they build long burrows, typically under large rocks, but may inhabit nests abandoned by rodents or other animals. They are most active at night and dusk.

Conservation

In 1994, all ''Brachypelma'' species were placed on CITES Appendix II, thus restricting trade. Nevertheless, large numbers of tarantulas caught in the wild continue to be smuggled out of Mexico, including species of ''Brachypelma''.

Food

Their diet typically includes crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and cockroaches. In captivity, live food is typically required, such as moths, mealworms and pinky mice, as dead food may be ignored.

Reproduction

Females lay cocoons containing roughly 500 (up to 900) eggs two months after mating. Spiderlings hatch 8–10 weeks later.

Pets

''B. albiceps'' is commonly available at pet stores. Lighting is not needed, as these spiders naturally prefer darkness.

References

External links

* – photographs taken in the wild

{{Taxonbar, from=Q378127

Theraphosidae
Endemic spiders of Mexico
Spiders described in 1903