Not all scientific discoveries involve a scientist initially being present.
The Thai JoCho Sippawat is a wildlife enthusiast and, as such, he pours out that passion through YouTube, with videos of a different nature. When he came across a tarantula living in bamboo while cutting this plant in the forest near his home, he wondered what species it was. So he contacted arachnologist Narin Chomphuphuang of Khon Kaen University in Thailand.
Chomphuphuang immediately thought it was a new species of tarantula, but was unable to confirm this until he went on a field trip to examine and study the curious spider.
His team confirmed this by testing the tarantula’s reproductive organs. Various types of tarantulas have distinct variations in the size and shape of these organs, making it an excellent way to determine whether or not a specimen comes from an entirely new genus.
Finally, their analysis concluded that it was a new genus and species of tarantula. It has been baptized as Taksinus bambus, a name in honor of the 18th century Thai king Taksin the Great and bambus, to the environment in which the spider lives.
“It is the first tarantula in the world with a biology linked to bamboo,” commented the Thai arachnologist.
Lives exclusively in bamboo
These tarantulas do not make holes in bamboo stems. Taksinus bambus lacks the tools to pierce bamboo canes, so it relies on natural forces or animals such as borer beetles (which eat bamboo) and rodents to take advantage of openings. Once inside, the tarantula builds a silk “retreat tube” that keeps the spider safe and helps it move easily.
Its discoverers say it is the first time in 104 years that anyone has found a new genus of tarantula in Asia. His find has been described in the journal Zookeys .
Why would a spider like this live on bamboo stems?
There are many reasons why these spiders could have evolved to live on bamboo stems, says Chomphuphuang. Bamboo stalks would not only provide them with a safe place to hide, but would also save them the need to dig or build a nest from scratch.
This plant species can only be found in the high hill forests of northern Thailand, at an altitude of about 1,000 meters . “It is no exaggeration to say that they are now the rarest tarantulas in Thailand,” continues the researcher. The researchers found that tarantulas reside only on bamboo, not on other crops.
So far, science knows about 49,000 species of spiders and new ones are discovered frequently. In fact, scientists estimate that 1 in 3 to 5 living spider species has yet to be found or named.
“Few people know how much wildlife in Thailand remains undocumented,” explains Chomphuphuang. Today’s forests cover about a third of the country. Scientists need to be on the lookout for new animals in such areas so they can be studied and, if necessary, protected, he says. “From my point of view, many new and attractive organisms are waiting to be found.”
Referencia: C. Songsangchote et al. A new genus of bamboo culm tarantula from Thailand (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae). ZooKeys. Vol. 1080, January 4, 2022. doi: 10.3897 / zookeys.1080.76876.
