Amblypygid ID?

[_scorpio_]

Anyone have any idea what this might be? Having a great deal of trouble finding anything other than D. diadema in the UK.
Also anyone know what the largest species of Amblypygi is?

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[schmiggle]

Here is the original post:

http://arachnoboards.com/threads/amblypygi-whip-spiders-pictures.155815/page-7

There it is identified as a species of Heterophrynus. It looks like H. armiger to me, but I am far from an expert.

 

[_scorpio_]

Thanks, been googling for hours and didnt even find Heterophrynus mentioned!
Im guessing the largest ones are likely to be in the Heterophrynus family then?

 

[wizentrop]

That is NOT H. armiger.
This can be one of several other species of Heterophrynus. Hard to tell which one exactly, since this specimen is not an adult, and only a single photo is provided. It reminds me of H. gorgo, but I reiterate that it is impossible to ID without inspecting the specimen. Locality information is important too.

 

[symbol]

As for the largest amblypygid... depends on your definition. I believe H. batesii has the longest whipspan (~60cm), but A. coronatus is the most massive/heaviest. Both are really lovely, impressive creatures, but I have a particular fondness for H. alces myself. Not as large as some others, but I just love the look of their "catch basket".

 

[schmiggle]

Thank you, Wizentrop, for clarifying. If it helps, the original posting does have another photo, but no close-up shots of the pedipalps (often how species are differentiated, yes?).

Out of curiosity, how do you tell by looking at the photo? I was going mostly off of vague resemblance (especially colors--H. armiger is the only one I've seen pictures of with the same color patterns). I will not repeat that mistake again But what, precisely, are you using?

 

[wizentrop]

I usually rely on taxonomical keys and species descriptions, but in this case I am using my field experience. H. armiger is more robust with shorter pedipalps.
You can see a couple of photos of H. armiger (along with some examples of other Amblypygi) on my website - http://gilwizen.com/photography/amblypygi/
Completely by coincidence, my latest publication reports H. armiger feeding on frogs, if you're interested - https://www.researchgate.net/public...antis_achatinus_Cachabi_Robber_Frog_Predation

 

[Ghoul]

I usually rely on taxonomical keys and species descriptions, but in this case I am using my field experience. H. armiger is more robust with shorter pedipalps.
You can see a couple of photos of H. armiger (along with some examples of other Amblypygi) on my website - http://gilwizen.com/photography/amblypygi/
Completely by coincidence, my latest publication reports H. armiger feeding on frogs, if you're interested - https://www.researchgate.net/public...antis_achatinus_Cachabi_Robber_Frog_Predation

Wow, you took all these pictures? They are beautiful! ;o;