Metallic blue tarantula is named after American conversationist. (Picture courtesy Ranil Nanayakkara)
A Sri Lankan biologist has found a new species of tarantula which set the world media buzzing with excitement.
Kelaniya University researcher Ranil Nanayakkara, described by National Geographic as a prolific spider hunter, collected some of the shimmery metallic-blue female tarantula on an expedition in 2015 and then spent two years making detailed physical comparisons between them and Chilobrachys species. He eventually concluded that the spider, which can encircle a doughnut with ease, was unique.
In a paper published in the British Tarantula Society Journal, researchers named the new species with a tongue twister. The female tarantula has been named Chilobrachys jonitriantisvansicklei, in honour of Joni Triantis Van Sickle, the co-founder of the Colorado-based conservation NGO Idea Wild.
“When we first spotted them I was in awe, lost for words,” Nanayakkara said, adding that the males of the species were smaller and mossy brown in colour.
He says Chilobrachys jonitriantisvansicklei is only the second species within the Chilobrachys genus to be found in Sri Lanka. The first, a drab brown arachnid called C. nitelus, was identified 126 years ago. Neighbouring India is home to more than two dozen closely related Chilobrachys species.
This is not the first time Nanayakkara has identified a rare tarantula. In 2013, he found a new species of massive, tree-dwelling tarantula called Poecilotheria rajaei which became a media sensation. The new species was spotted from a forest spanning 857 acres, in the western district of Kalutara.
Experts fear the exotic and ornate appearance of this arachnid might attract the global trade for rare pets. Various tarantula species from Sri Lanka are smuggled out to be sold for between $50 and $400 to pet collectors, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Colombo-based Sunday Observer this week reported a bio theft attempt (the largest ever collection of animals and plants) from Sinharaja rain forest in Sri Lanka. Experts express concern that the incident could be a possible instance of bio-piracy. It was revealed that the plant and animal specimens were collected from locations around the country and the theft not confined to Sinharaja.
Responding to the report of the new species of tarantula, Amila Prasanna Sumanapala, a researcher at the University of Colombo, says Sri Lanka has sufficient legislation to ensure species conservation. What is lacking is enforcement to crack down on the persistent trafficking of protected species into the illicit pet trade.
Scientists do not know if the newly-discovered tarantula is rare or threatened, as areas like Sri Lanka are incredibly biodiverse, with small populations and “even smaller scientist numbers,” according to Robert Raven, principal curator of arachnids at Australia’s Queensland Museum.
American tarantulas’ mating season begins
Tarantulas have been in the news during the last few days. A web site based in Denver, Colorado, reported that thousands of male tarantulas are leaving the safety of their burrows behind to search for females, who stay hidden in their own holes as the mating season is about to start in late August or early September when the night temperature cools.
Spider enthusiasts sometimes flock to the grassy region in hopes of spotting a tarantula or capturing one to keep as a pet. There was no mention whether this species was protected.
A Denver wild life official said that while the tarantulas may give some the creeps, they munch on things that humans often consider pests, including cockroaches, beetles and other insects.
“There’s seriously no need to fear these creatures. They’re fascinating and just like us, just trying to live their daily lives,” he added.
In Canada, there were frantic efforts to save a tarantula which was left out in the elements by its former owner this week in Alberta. A group of concerned citizens were alerted on Facebook about the tarantula’s plight.
A pet lover who has owned tarantulas before has decided to take in the injured arachnid – a Brazilian giant blonde – to nurse it back to health. – newstrails.com
