2 New Tarantula Species Discovered on Andes Mountains Already Severely Threatened

Two new tarantulas were discovered. However, both are endangered and should be protected.

2 New Tarantula Species Discovered

In a new study, scientists have found two new species of tarantulas belonging to the genus Psalmopoeus on the Andes mountains, and both seem to be seriously imperiled. Researchers from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) first observed the spiders on trees in the western Ecuadorian jungle.

Tarantulas are a diverse genus of huge, frequently hairy spiders mostly found in warm climates worldwide. There are currently about 1,000 known species of tarantulas.

One of the new species was spotted at the foothills of the Cordillera Occidental in late February this year. Despite the fact that Psalmopoeus chronoarachne is a relatively new species, the evidence that is currently available indicates that it is under significant threat from human activities like mining and agriculture in the area.

This issue is referenced in the scientific name of the species, derived from the Greek words meaning "time" and "spider." The compound word alludes to the proverb that suggests significant human operations may "have their time counted" or otherwise diminish these spiders.

According to the authors of the research, the term addresses conservation issues regarding the survival and prevalence of spider species in natural contexts.

The second tarantula was around 3,000 feet north of the Cordillera Occidental. It was initially observed in a bamboo fence in the rural parish of San José de Alluriquín was named by the researchers as Psalmopoeus satanas. Its name originated from the first person the researchers saw displaying defensive behavior immediately.

One of the study's authors, Roberto J. León-E, stated in a press release that "it is appropriately named because the initial individual that was collected had an attitude!"

"[The defensive] behavior then transformed into fleeing, where the spider made quick sporadic movements, nearly too fast to see," he added.

The study's authors stated that despite the male specimen's "bad temperament and sporadic attacks," they "grew very fond" of him at USFQ's Laboratory of Terrestrial Zoology.

Significant risks to this species also come from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation, mainly due to urbanization, mining, and agriculture. Environmental law protections do not cover the two recently discovered tarantulas' habitats, the scientists point out.

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New 6 Ghost Spider Species Discovered

In related news, six new "ghost spider" species were discovered earlier this month. One was found in a power plant in Brazil, while the others were located in Argentina and Paraguay.

All of the newly discovered species belong to the genus Ostoniela. The genus only included two species before discovery -- Oniela adisi, found in Peru and Brazil, and Oniela quadrivittata, found in Venezuela and Argentina.

Based on the photographs, the new species appears to have eight eyes, eight legs, and a brown body. Other than that, it is comparatively ordinary. The female's "ample" genitalia piqued the interest of scientists more than the spider's potential quarter-inch growth. The researchers recognized them as a new species due to their unique body parts.