In the mangrove forests of Thailand, scientists have stumbled upon a new species of tarantula that is remarkably blue in color.
Last year, scientists in Thailand discovered a new species of tarantula that resides only in the stems of bamboo plants. And encouraged by that discovery, they have now delved into the Thai forests again. And not without results, as stated in the magazine ZooKeys to read. Because once again they have discovered a until recently undescribed species of tarantula. The spider has the name Chilobrachys natanicharum got.
Blue
What immediately catches the eye is the striking blue color of the spider. “The secret behind the tarantula’s vivid blue color is not the presence of blue pigments,” says researcher Narin Chomphuphuang. Instead, the blue color is made possible by the unique structure of the hair on the spider’s legs. “It contains nanostructures that manipulate the light in such a way that it creates this striking blue appearance.”
The blue tarantula. Image: Narin Chomphuphuang.
Blue is a fairly rare color in nature. What makes the tarantula even more special, however, is that in addition to the royal blue color, it can also create the color violet (see the photo below).
Image: Chilobrachys natanicharum.
In trees
The researchers discovered the tarantula in a tree in a mangrove forest. “These tarantulas live in hollow trees,” says Chomphuphuang. It did not immediately make catching the spiders any easier. “You have to climb a tree and then lure the spider out of the holes, under moist and slippery conditions. During our expedition we walked in the evening and night, when the tide was low, and we could only catch two.”
The researchers think that the newly discovered tarantula can in any case be considered one of the rarest tarantulas on earth. And there are certainly concerns about the survival of the species. Because the mangrove forests, their home, are becoming smaller and smaller due to deforestation. “It raises an important question,” the researchers write. “By destroying their natural habitat, are we unknowingly evicting these unique organisms?”
2023-09-23 14:02:26
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