Theraphosinae
Grammostola rosea, female with cocoon
The Theraphosinae is the most diverse subfamily within the tarantulas and included approximately 425 species and 52 genera ( as of 2003). Many small species were formerly included among the Ischnocolinae. However, because these species contain irritants hair and a keeled embolus, they are now placed in the subfamily Theraphosinae.
Dissemination
This subfamily contains only American species. The distribution of Theraphosinae extends to the Americas south of the United States to South America.
Features
The body lengths of the species vary from 12 mm (eg Apachepelma Paloma ) to 11 cm ( Theraphosa blondi ). Representatives of the subfamily Theraphosinae are also referred to as the " Bombardier spiders," and even the members of this subfamily. In the subfamily no tree-dwelling species occur; tree-dwelling tarantulas from the same distribution area are among the Aviculariinae Selenocosmiinae and Simon, 1889.
Behavior
The behavior of the species in this subfamily is very diverse. Some species build tubes deep in the earth, others live under tree roots, pieces of bark or stones.
There are very defensive species, especially the genera Theraphosa, Acanthoscurria and Phormictopus. In Errors occur very quickly back to their burrow or cavity. Often the Bombardier spiders throw under the Theraphosinae the attacker with their stinging hairs. Do not they have the opportunity to retreat, they go in Verteidigungs-/Drohstellung. Will they continue to provoke, they usually hit only three or four times with its front legs and the buttons after the attackers before they bite.
Among the Theraphosinae species but there are also very peaceful species, such as Eupalaestrus, Grammostola or Brachypelma.
The food spectrum of Theraphosinae depends on the body size and the distribution area of each species and thus includes a wide range of prey items from insects to snakes.
Trade in species of Theraphosinae
In pet shops and on tarantulas exchanges are found primarily representatives of the genera Brachypelma, Grammostola, Aphonopelma Theraphosa and eligible for the attitude in the terrarium question.
Genera of Theraphosinae
Genera of Theraphosinae, Booth 2003:
- Apachepelma Schmidt, 1994
- Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901
- Bonnetina Vol, 2000
- Brachypelma Simon, 1890
- Brachypelmides Schmidt & Krause, 1994
- Cardiopelma Vol, 1999
- Citharacanthus Pocock, 1901
- Clavopelma Chamberlin, 1940
- Crassicrus Reichling & West, 1996
- Cyriocosmus Simon, 1903
- Cyrtopholis Simon, 1892
- Davus O. P. Cambridge, 1892
- Eupalaestrus Pocock, 1901
- Grammostola Simon, 1892
- Hapalotremus Simon, 1903
- Hemiercus Simon, 1903
- Hemirrhagus Simon, 1903
- Iracema Pérez- Miles,?
- Lasiodora C. L. Koch, 1850
- Lasiodorides Schmidt & Bischoff, 1997
- Megaphobema Pocock, 1901
- Melloleitaoina Gerschman & Schiapelli, 1960
- Metriopelma Becker, 1878
- Neischnocolus Petrunkevitch, 1925
- Nesipelma Schmidt & Kovarik, 1996
- Nhandu Lucas, 1983
- Ozopactus Simon, 1889
- Pachypelma Karsch, 1880
- Pamphobeteus Pocock, 1901
- Paraphysa Simon, 1892
- Phormictopus Pocock, 1901
- Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901
- Mello - Leitao Proshapalopus, 1923
- Pseudhapalopus beach, 1907
- Reversopelma Schmidt, 2001
- Schismatothele Karsch, 1879
- Schizopelma F.O.P. - Cambridge, 1897
- Sphaerobothria Karsch, 1879
- Stenotarsus Tesmoingt & Schmidt, 2002
- Stichoplastoris Rudloff, 1997
- Theraphosa Thorell, 1870
- Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994
- Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892
- Vitalius Lucas, Silva & Bertani, 1993
- Xenethis Simon, 1891
Possibly
- Mello - Leitao Dolichothele, 1923 ( In this genus can not be distinguished between Theraphosinae and Ischnocolinae because no males are known).
The genera listed here Apachepelma, Brachypelmides, Davus and Neischnocolus are loud "World Spider Catalog " Synonyms to other genera.