I was asking, sorry. This is the first time I sexed one of this species, and I find every species I try to sex to be slightly different, unless its the age. This is also the very first sexually mature tarantula I've tried to sex. Thank you for the help.
I was asking, sorry. This is the first time I sexed one of this species, and I find every species I try to sex to be slightly different, unless its the age. This is also the very first sexually mature tarantula I've tried to sex. Thank you for the help.
No need to apologize! We all have to learn at some point. What gives it away is the dark flap between the first set of book lungs - that is, the first set of white spots towards the top. That darker w-shaped flap is actually analogous to a uterus in mammals. You should be able to actually grab it with tweezers; it's not just a colorization of the exoskeleton, it's an actual organ.
No need to apologize! We all have to learn at some point. What gives it away is the dark flap between the first set of book lungs - that is, the first set of white spots towards the top. That darker w-shaped flap is actually analogous to a uterus in mammals. You should be able to actually grab it with tweezers; it's not just a colorization of the exoskeleton, it's an actual organ.
Does the 'uterus' like organ show up more pronounced when they sexually mature? I've sexed several tarantulas, many turned out to be female but all I was able to see was a part between the book lungs where the skin detaches from itself, creating a flap you can physically lift and separate. I did not see this here, but the presence of the 'w' shaped spot made me lean toward female, however I felt my inexperience called for more professional verification.
Oh ok, that makes sense. I have two, one labeled lividus, one lividum. I have not researched the difference, or changes. I was aware of the change from haplopelma to cyriapagopus, but never researched lividus vs. lividum. Thank you for pointing that out to me.
Does the 'uterus' like organ show up more pronounced when they sexually mature? I've sexed several tarantulas, many turned out to be female but all I was able to see was a part between the book lungs where the skin detaches from itself, creating a flap you can physically lift and separate. I did not see this here, but the presence of the 'w' shaped spot made me lean toward female, however I felt my inexperience called for more professional verification.
That flap is called a spermatheca, and it's where the sperm is stored after mating. It does become more pronounced as they grow, but with a steady hand and a good microscope, you can sex slings. I know yours is sexually mature because of how dark it is. As they age, the spermatheca becomes scleritized - that is, hardens and as a result darkens. This is when they're finally able to reproduce. Basically spider puberty, for lack of a better analogy.
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