Brachypelma
4 species
Brachypelma is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). They may have bodies up to.mw-parser-output.frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output.frac.num,.mw-parser-output.frac.den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output.frac.den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output.sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6 cm (2+1⁄4 in) long with legs of similar or greater lengths. Some species have brightly colored legs, with red or orange marks and rings.
The taxonomy of the genus and its species has been the subject of considerable debate. In 2020, the genus was split, with a group of species (the "red rump" tarantulas) being moved to a new genus, Tliltocatl. As now circumscribed, the genus Brachypelma is found only in Mexico. Many species of both genera are popular with tarantula keepers as pets; the females in particular are long lived. All species are protected, and trade is regulated under CITES. Although they are bred in captivity, they continue to be exported in large numbers. Members of the reduced genus Brachypelma (the "red leg" group) are considered to be in most urgent need of further conservation efforts.
All the species remaining in Brachypelma are found in Mexico. Within Mexico, the largest number of species are found along the Pacific coast. The majority of species are restricted to small endemic ranges in this area.
There is uncertainty over both the distribution of some Brachypelma species and their identity. Stuart Longhorn has criticized several arachnologists, including Günter Schmidt, for describing new species based on pet-trade specimens without accurate locations, resulting in vague or inaccurate distributions. He argues that locality information is vital for "scientific rigor", since without it important questions relating to the identity of species cannot be answered. Steven Turner and colleagues have also noted difficulties in identification resulting from the use of imprecisely sourced pet-trade specimens.
Brachypelma is a genus of spiders in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). They may have bodies up to.mw-parser-output.frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output.frac.num,.mw-parser-output.frac.den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output.frac.den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output.sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}6 cm (2+1⁄4 in) long with legs of similar or greater lengths. Some species have brightly colored legs, with red or orange marks and rings.
The taxonomy of the genus and its species has been the subject of considerable debate. In 2020, the genus was split, with a group of species (the "red rump" tarantulas) being moved to a new genus, Tliltocatl. As now circumscribed, the genus Brachypelma is found only in Mexico. Many species of both genera are popular with tarantula keepers as pets; the females in particular are long lived. All species are protected, and trade is regulated under CITES. Although they are bred in captivity, they continue to be exported in large numbers. Members of the reduced genus Brachypelma (the "red leg" group) are considered to be in most urgent need of further conservation efforts.
All the species remaining in Brachypelma are found in Mexico. Within Mexico, the largest number of species are found along the Pacific coast. The majority of species are restricted to small endemic ranges in this area.
There is uncertainty over both the distribution of some Brachypelma species and their identity. Stuart Longhorn has criticized several arachnologists, including Günter Schmidt, for describing new species based on pet-trade specimens without accurate locations, resulting in vague or inaccurate distributions. He argues that locality information is vital for "scientific rigor", since without it important questions relating to the identity of species cannot be answered. Steven Turner and colleagues have also noted difficulties in identification resulting from the use of imprecisely sourced pet-trade specimens.
