The Harpactirinae (commonly called baboon spiders) are a

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

tarantula Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. , 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera. The term "tarantula" is usually used to describe members of the family Theraphosidae, although ...

s which are native to the continent of

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

. Like many

Old World The "Old World" is a term for Afro-Eurasia that originated in Europe , after Europeans became aware of the existence of the Americas. It is used to contrast the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia, which were previously thought of by the ...

tarantulas, they have a relatively strong

venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

, and can inflict a painful bite.

Description

Harpactirinae are ground-dwelling spiders which build silk-lined burrows, often under debris such as stones, using their fangs and

chelicerae The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly ...

for digging. Habitats include

savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland) ecosystem characterised by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to ...

woodlands, grasslands, and dry scrublands.

Systematics

The following genera and species are present in the Harpactirinae. In addition, the genus '' Brachionopus'' (Pocock, 1897) has been suggested for placement in this subfamily, but its taxonomy is currently disputed. '' Augacephalus'' (Gallon, 2002)
Type species: '' Augacephalus breyeri'' In synonymy:
'' Augacephalus nigrifemur'' (Schmidt, 1995) = '' Augacephalus junodi'' *'' Augacephalus breyeri'' (Hewitt, 1919) — Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini *'' Augacephalus ezendami'' (Gallon, 2001) — Mozambique, the Mozambique Gold nBaboon, Mozambique Half Moon Baboon *'' Augacephalus junodi'' (Simon, 1904) — East, South Africa, the ast AfricanBushveld Golden Brown Featherleg Baboon '' Bacillochilus'' (Gallon, 2010) onotypic *'' Bacillochilus xenostridulans'' (Gallon, 2010) — Angola '' Brachionopus'' (Pocock, 1897)
To quote Platnick's World Spider Catalog v. 12.5,Platnick, Norman I
"World Spider Catalog"
"American Museum of Natural History." "N.B.: transferred here from the Barychelidae by Raven, 1985a: 112; Brachyonopus is an unjustified emendation; Raven's transfer was not accepted by Charpentier, 1993: 5 or Schmidt, 2002a: 12 and 2008: 3, who nevertheless identified no close relatives of the genus among the known barychelids; Gallon, 2002: 204 argued for its inclusion in the Barychelidae but indicated that it "does not fit in any current barychelid subfamily" but later (Gallon, 2010b: 79) considered it a harpactirine.". In other words, its taxonomy is in dispute and the many recent workers do not consider it a theraphosid. All are found in South Africa. *'' Brachionopus annulatus'' (Purcell, 1903) *'' Brachionopus leptopelmiformis'' (Strand, 1907) *'' Brachionopus pretoriae'' (Purcell, 1904) *'' Brachionopus robustus'' (Pocock, 1897) *'' Brachionopus tristis'' (Purcell, 1903) '' Ceratogyrus'' (Pocock, 1897) enior synonym of Coelogenium Purcell, 1902br /> Type species: ''

Ceratogyrus darlingi ''Ceratogyrus'' is a genus of tarantulas found in southern Africa. They are commonly called horned baboons for the foveal horn found on the peltidium in some species. Diagnosis They are readily distinguished from other African theraphosid ge ...

'' Transferred to other genera:
'' Ceratogyrus ezendami'' → '' Augacephalus ezendami''
'' Ceratogyrus nigrifemur'' → '' Augacephalus nigrifemur''
'' Ceratogyrus raveni'' (Smith, 1990) → '' Pterinochilus chordatus'' In synonymy:
'' Ceratogyrus bechuanicus'' (Purcell, 1902) and '' Ceratogyrus schultzei'' (Purcell, 1908) = ''

''
'' Ceratogyrus cornuatus'' (De Wet & Dippenaar-Schoeman, 1991) = ''

Ceratogyrus marshalli ''Ceratogyrus marshalli'', also known as Straight Horned Baboon or Great Horned Baboon Tarantula, is a species of tarantula from the genus '' Ceratogyrus''. It is found in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock i ...

'' *''

Ceratogyrus brachycephalus ''Ceratogyrus brachycephalus'' (greater horned baboon tarantula) is an old world terrestrial tarantula that grows to a legspan of up to 5 inches (12 cm).EightGreater Horned Baboon The common name comes from the "horn", or protuberance, ...

'' (Hewitt, 1919) — Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the otswananGreater Horned Baboon *''

'' (Pocock, 1897) — Zimbabwe, Mozambique, the imbabwean, AfricanRear Horned Baboon, Curved Horn Baboon *'' Ceratogyrus dolichocephalus'' (Hewitt, 1919) — Zimbabwe *'' Ceratogyrus hillyardi'' (Smith, 1990) — Malawi *''

'' (Pocock, 1897) — Zimbabwe, Mozambique, the imbabweanStraight Horned Baboon *'' Ceratogyrus meridionalis'' (Hirst, 1907) — Malawi, Mozambique, the alawian Zimbabwe Gray Baboon *''

Ceratogyrus paulseni ''Ceratogyrus'' is a genus of tarantulas found in southern Africa. They are commonly called horned baboons for the foveal horn found on the peltidium in some species. Diagnosis They are readily distinguished from other African theraphosid ...

'' (Gallon, 2005) — Republic of South Africa *'' Ceratogyrus pillansi'' (Purcell, 1902) — Zimbabwe, Mozambique *''

Ceratogyrus sanderi ''Ceratogyrus'' is a genus of tarantulas found in southern Africa. They are commonly called horned baboons for the foveal horn found on the peltidium in some species. Diagnosis They are readily distinguished from other African theraphosid ...

'' (Strand, 1906) — Namibia, Zimbabwe, the amibianSandy Horned Baboon '' Eucratoscelus'' (Pocock, 1898)
Type species: ''

Eucratoscelus constrictus ''Eucratoscelus constrictus'' is a species of tarantula belonging to the family Theraphosidae Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae. , 1,040 species have been identified, with 156 genera. ...

'' Transferred to other genera:
'' Eucratoscelus tenuitibialis'' (Schmidt & Gelling, 2000) → ''

Pterinochilus lugardi ''Pterinochilus lugardi'' also known Grey starburst baboon, Dodoma baboon, Fort hall baboon or Tanzanian blonde baboon tarantula is a tarantula first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1900. They are found all over Southern and Eastern Africa, ...

'' In synonymy:
'' Eucratoscelus longiceps'' (Pocock, 1898) and '' Eucratoscelus spinifer'' = ''

'' *''

'' (Gerstäcker, 1873) — Kenya, Tanzania *''

Eucratoscelus pachypus ''Eucratoscelus pachypus'' also known as the Tanzania stout leg baboon tarantula or the stout leg tarantula, was first described by Gunter Schmidt and Volker von Wirth in 1990. It is found in Tanzania, hailing from arid parts, and is an obligate b ...

'' (Schmidt & Von Wirth, 1990) — Tanzania '' Harpactira'' (Ausserer, 1871)
Type species: '' Harpactira atra'' *'' Harpactira atra'' (Latreille, 1832) — South Africa *'' Harpactira baviana'' (Purcell, 1903) — South Africa *'' Harpactira cafreriana'' (Walckenaer, 1837) — South Africa *'' Harpactira chrysogaster'' (Pocock, 1897) — South Africa *'' Harpactira curator'' (Pocock, 1898) — South Africa *'' Harpactira curvipes'' (Pocock, 1897) — South Africa *'' Harpactira dictator'' (Purcell, 1902) — South Africa *'' Harpactira gigas'' (Pocock, 1898) — South Africa *'' Harpactira guttata'' (Strand, 1907) — South Africa *''

Harpactira hamiltoni ''Harpactira'' is a genus of African Theraphosidae, tarantulas that was first described by Anton Ausserer in 1871. Species it contains fifteen species, found in Namibia and South Africa: *''Harpactira atra'' (Latreille, 1832) (Type_species, type ...

'' (Pocock, 1902) — South Africa *'' Harpactira lineata'' (Pocock, 1897) — South Africa *'' Harpactira lyrata'' (Simon, 1892) — South Africa *'' Harpactira marksi'' (Purcell, 1902) — South Africa *'' Harpactira namaquensis'' (Purcell, 1902) — Namibia, South Africa *'' Harpactira pulchripes'' (Pocock, 1901) — South Africa, the outh AfricanGolden Blue Leg Baboon, Slate Gray Leg(ged) Baboon *'' Harpactira tigrina'' (Ausserer, 1875) — South Africa '' Harpactirella'' (Purcell, 1902) enior synonym of ''Luphocemus'' ">Luphocemus.html" ;"title="enior synonym of ''Luphocemus">enior synonym of ''Luphocemus'' br /> Type species: ''

Harpactirella treleaveni ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African Theraphosidae, tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the Barychelidae, brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the Theraphosidae, tarantulas ...

'' Transferred to other genera:
''Harpactirella flavipilosa'' (Lawrence, 1936) → ''

''
'' Harpactirella latithorax'' (Strand, 1908) → '' Euathlus vulpinus''
'' Harpactirella leleupi'' (Benoit, 1965) → ''

Idiothele nigrofulva ''Idiothele'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by J. Hewitt in 1919. it contains two species, both found in southern Africa: '' I. mira'' and '' I. nigrofulva''. See also * List of Theraphosidae species This page list ...

'' *'' Harpactirella domicola'' (Purcell, 1903) — South Africa *'' Harpactirella helenae'' (Purcell, 1903) — South Africa *'' Harpactirella insidiosa'' (Denis, 1960) — Morocco (Dubious) *''

Harpactirella karrooica ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1902) — South Africa *''

Harpactirella lapidaria ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1908) — South Africa *''

Harpactirella lightfooti ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1902) — South Africa *''

Harpactirella longipes ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1902) — South Africa *''

Harpactirella magna ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1903) — South Africa *'' Harpactirella overdijki'' (Gallon, 2010) — South Africa *''

Harpactirella schwarzi ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1904) — South Africa *''

Harpactirella spinosa ''Harpactirella'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by William Frederick Purcell in 1902. Originally placed with the brushed trapdoor spiders, it was transferred to the tarantulas in 1985. It is considered a senior synony ...

'' (Purcell, 1908) — South Africa *''

'' (Purcell, 1902) — South Africa ''

Idiothele ''Idiothele'' is a genus of African tarantulas that was first described by J. Hewitt in 1919. it contains two species, both found in southern Africa: '' I. mira'' and '' I. nigrofulva''. See also * List of Theraphosidae species This page list ...

'' (Hewitt, 1919)
Type species: ''

'' In synonymy:
'' Idiothele crassispina'' (Purcell, 1902) and '' Idiothele leleupi'' (Benoit, 1965) = ''

'' *''

Idiothele mira ''Idiothele mira'', also known as the blue-foot baboon or the trap-door tarantula, is a species of tarantula endemic to South Africa and is popularized by hobbyists for the striking blue coloration on the ventral side of the tarsi and metatarsi ...

'' (Gallon, 2010) - South Africa, the South African Blue Footed Trapdoor Baboon *''

'' (Pocock, 1898) — Southern Africa ''

Pterinochilus ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' (Pocock, 1897) enior synonym of ''Pterinochilides'' ">Pterinochilides.html" ;"title="enior synonym of ''Pterinochilides">enior synonym of ''Pterinochilides'' br /> Type species: ''

Pterinochilus vorax ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' Transferred to other genera:
''Pterinochilus breyeri'' → '' Augacephalus breyeri''
'' Pterinochilus constrictus'' and '' Pterinochilus spinifer'' → ''

''
'' Pterinochilus crassispinus'' and '' Pterinochilus nigrofulvus'' → ''

''
'' Pterinochilus junodi'' and '' Pterinochilus nigrifemur'' → '' Augacephalus junodi''
'' Pterinochilus meridionalis'' → '' Ceratogyrus meridionalis''
''

Pterinochilus schoenlandi ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' → ''

Trichognathella schoenlandi ''Trichognathella'' is a monotypic genus of South African tarantulas containing the single species, ''Trichognathella schoenlandi''. It was first described by R. C. Gallon in 2004, and is found in South Africa. See also * List of Theraphosidae s ...

'' In synonymy:
'' Pterinochilus affinis'' (Tullgren, 1910), '' Pterinochilus brunellii'' (Caporiacco, 1940), '' Pterinochilus carnivorus'' (Strand, 1917), '' Pterinochilus raptor'' (Strand, 1906), '' Pterinochilus raveni'' (Smith, 1990), '' Pterinochilus sjostedti'' (Tullgren, 1910), and '' Pterinochilus widenmanni'' (Strand, 1906) = '' Pterinochilus chordatus''
'' Pterinochilus flavipilosus'' (Lawrence, 1936), '' Pterinochilus pluridentatus'' (Hewitt, 1919), and '' Pterinochilus tenuitibialis'' = ''

''
'' Pterinochilus hindei'' (Hirst, 1907), '' Pterinochilus leetzi'' (Schmidt, 2002), and '' Pterinochilus mamillatus'' (Strand, 1906) = ''

Pterinochilus murinus ''Pterinochilus murinus'' or the orange baboon tarantula, is an old-world tarantula that was first described in 1897 by Reginald Innes Pocock. This species is found on the African continent, in Angola, as well as central, eastern, and southern ...

''
'' Pterinochilus mutus'' (Strand, 1920), '' Pterinochilus obenbergeri'' (Strand, 1920), and '' Pterinochilus occidentalis'' (Strand, 1920) = ''

Pterinochilus simoni ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' *''

Pterinochilus alluaudi ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' (Berland, 1914) — Kenya *''

Pterinochilus andrewsmithi ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' (Gallon, 2009) — Northwestern Kenya *'' Pterinochilus chordatus'' (Gerstäcker, 1873) — East Africa, the Kilimanjaro Mustard Baboon *'' Pterinochilus cryptus'' (Gallon, 2008) — Angola *''

Pterinochilus lapalala ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' (Gallon & Engelbrecht, 2011) — Waterberg mountains of Limpopo Province, South Africa *''

'' (Pocock, 1900) — Eastern and Southern Africa, the Dodoma Fort Hall Baboon *''

'' (Pocock, 1897) — Angola, Central, Eastern, Southern Africa, the Usumbara Orange Baboon, Mombasa Golden Starburst aboon "OBT" *''

Pterinochilus raygabrieli ''Pterinochilus'' is a genus of baboon spiders that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897. They are found all throughout Africa Species it contains ten species, all found in Africa: *'' Pterinochilus alluaudi'' Berland, 1914 � ...

'' (Gallon, 2009) — Southcentral Kenya *''

'' (Berland, 1917) — Angola, Congo *''

'' (Pocock, 1897) — Angola, Central, East Africa '' Trichognathella'' (Gallon, 2004) onotypic? *''

'' (Pocock, 1900) — South Africa

References

External links

Norman I. Platnick: The World Spider Catalog, American Museum of Natural History.

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2281100 Theraphosidae Spiders of Africa Spider subfamilies