@CEC - May I ask you a question, good sir? I have seen some tarantulas listed as "Avicularia sp. ecuador." Does this mean they are actually Avicularia purpurea, or "color forms" of the purpurea(if that makes sense)?
@Walker253@Caseyface
I believe they are a morphotype of purpurea.
Possibly what the revision refers to as a "southern form". They have miner differences, nothing that would be grounds for a separate species IMO. Their spermathecae is identical to purpurea which is a little different than the other species described.
Here are quotes from the revision:
"The southern form has very discrete grizzled setae in palps and legs, and less intense purple sheen in short body setae of carapace, legs, and palps" ...CHECK
"Females of the southern form have an abdomen with light brown guard-setae homogeneously distributed, with a couple of reddish brown lateral stripes until penultimate or ultimate molt, distinct from the velvety black dorsal abdomen of the northern morphotype." ...CHECK
"Males from southern and northern form showed no morphological difference among them." ...CHECK, this female's brothers never showed the abdominal pattern past sling coloration.
The only problem is the southern form distribution is Peru not Ecuador. There could be an explanation for that. Maybe these were actually collected in Peru or they are actually found in Ecuador also but that area wasn't studied. I'm leaning the latter...
From the revision, it's very apparent there are multiple morphotypes of most of the Avicularia species. The hobby has separated them as "species" but most (if not all) have been determined to be morphotypes of the 12 species now listed that make up Avicularia. There are slightly different color forms from different localities within some of the morphotypes. Therefore, I still use the the pet trade names when selling or breeding. As I don't not support the mixing of morphotypes nor the color forms within.
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