Haplopelma

Taxobox
name = "Haplopelma"

---

image_width = 200px
image_caption = Cobalt blue tarantula
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Araneae
subordo = Mygalomorphae
familia = Theraphosidae
subfamilia = Ornithoctoninae
genus = "Haplopelma"
genus_authority = Simon, 1892
diversity_link = List of Theraphosidae species#Haplopelma
diversity = 11 species
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = "H. albostriatum"
"H. doriae"
"H. hainanum"
"H. huwenum"
"H. lividum"
"H. longipes"
"H. minax"
"H. robustum"
"H. salangense"
"H. schmidti"
"H. vonwirthi"

"Haplopelma" is a genus of old-world tarantulas which are found in Southeast Asia. The range of this genus includes Myanmar, southeastern China, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo.

Description

"Haplopelma" consists of relatively large specimens, with a typical legspan ranging from 4.5" up to 8" (20 cm). The spiders all thrive in tropical environments, requiring humidity levels of up to 70% or more. They inhabit the tropical rain forests of southeast Asia, where they build and live in burrows up to several feet deep, emerging to capture food. These spiders prey on numerous small creatures, such as cockroaches, crickets, and mice.

Species

As of May 2006, 11 distinct species are currently assigned to this genus; though the classification of old-world tarantulas from the region is still under some debate in the scientific community. In the past several years there have been numerous reclassifications involving this and other genera. [ [http://research.amnh.org/entomology/spiders/catalog/THERAPHOSIDAE.html World Spider Catalog: Family Theraphosidae] ]

The species in "Haplopelma" include:
* The Thai zebra tarantula, "H. albostriatum", also known as the "edible spider"

* The cobalt blue tarantula, "H. lividum"
* The Chinese bird spider, "H. huwenum", "H. hainanum", "H. schmidti"
* The Thailand black tarantula, "H. minax" [http://arachnophiliac.co.uk/burrow/caresheets/haplopelma_minax.htm Arachnophiliac.co.uk: Thailand black tarantula]
* "H. longipes"
* "H. doriae", a species from Borneo.
* "H. robustum"
* "H. salangense"
* "H. vonwirthi". According to German hobby "zoologists" Volker von Wirth and Boris Striffler (the former for whom the species was named, by fellow zoologist Schmidt; von Wirth had previously named "H. schmidti" after Schmidt), this may be a misidentified "H. minax". [http://www.striffler.net/papers/von_Wirth_&_Striffler_2005-Ornithoctonus_aureotibialis&Haplopelma_longipes.pdf VON WIRTH, V. & B. F. STRIFFLER (2005): Neue Erkenntnisse zur Vogelspinnen – Unterfamilie Ornithoctoninae, mit Beschreibung von Ornithoctonus aureotibialis sp. n. und Haplopelma longipes sp. n. (Araneae, Theraphosidae). Arthropoda 13(2): 2-27.]

Medical significance

Like all old-world tarantulas, the spiders in "Haploplema" lack the urticating hairs found in their new world counterparts, and use biting as a primary means of defense. Those which are common in the pet trade are all known as temperamental and difficult to care for, and likely to bite. While the venom of many of these species has not been studied; old world tarantulas are known for having strong venom.

One species in this genus whose venom "is" extensively studied, and is known to be dangerous to man, is the Chinese bird spider (specifically "H. huwenum"). There is at least one rumored report of a child dying from a bite by this spider, although this is largely thought to be an internet hoax.

References

External links

* [http://www.tarantulaspiders.com/pages/haplopelma.htm Tarantula Gallery: The genus "Haplopelma"]
* [http://www.spidy.goliathus.com/english/gallery-tarantulas.php Gallery of tarantulas] : Photos of 8 [http://www.spidy.goliathus.com/english/tarantula.php?species=Haplopelma "Haploplema" species]