''Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi'' is a species of

nematode The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...

, and is one of only two species known to infect tarantulas.

History

''T. jeffdanielsi'' was discovered in 2018 when a wholesale breeder noticed white discharge in the mouths of their tarantulas, and strange behavior prior to death. This discharge were the nematodes in the tarantula's oral cavity.

Biology

The nematodes infect the oral cavity of a tarantula. The host will begin to lose control of its appendages and fangs, causing starvation and a 'tip toe' like walking behavior. The nematodes only infect the tarantula's mouth, suggesting they may feed on bacteria that lives on tarantulas rather than the actual tarantula.

Taxonomy

''T. jeffdanielsi was'' named after actor

Jeff Daniels Jeffrey Warren Daniels (born February 19, 1955) is an American actor, comedian, musician, and playwright, known for his work on stage and screen playing diverse characters switching between comedy and drama. He is the recipient of several accol ...

for his role in the 1990 movie ''

Arachnophobia Arachnophobia is a specific phobia brought about by the irrational fear of spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions. Signs and symptoms People with arachnophobia tend to feel uneasy in any area they believe could harbour spiders or that h ...

''.

References

Tylenchida Parasitic nematodes of animals Animals described in 2022 {{Secernentea-stub