Amblypygid with red pedipalps

[Kerouac]

I recently acquired this specimen from the local reptile shop. They only get the usual medius in, but received this guy and I’m a little stumped. Said he hasn’t molted in their care and have had him for about a month. Has anyone encountered this before? I’m wondering if it’s caused by injury. Maybe my google-fu isn’t up to snuff, but I can’t find anything similar online. It’s no trick of light, they are very distinctly blood red. Only thing of note is, for his size, his pedipalps are a lot longer than most others (medius) I have that size by comparison. I know he’s not diadema, but I’d compare it to diadema in that he’s fairly small to have the pedipalps already be longer than his femurs. Only other concerning thing is I haven’t got him to extend them at all yet. He is missing his whips- I’m hoping to keep him alive til he molts to remedy that. I usually will never get one completely whipless.
Also, I nabbed a couple other amblys that were labeled “central american whip spider” that look identical to medius to my amateur eyes. Can someone point me to a possible species name? Or do you think it’s a misidentification?

 

[chanda]

@Elytra and Antenna can probably tell you - he's a renowned expert who literally wrote the book about keeping amblypygi!

 

[wizentrop]

That's an Euphrynichus, most likely E. bacillifer. Freshly molted, which can explain the bright pedipalps. The red will eventually change to brown, then to black.

 

[Kerouac]

That's an Euphrynichus, most likely E. bacillifer. Freshly molted, which can explain the bright pedipalps. The red will eventually change to brown, then to black.

He hasn’t molted in over a month, is that still considered freshly molted?

 

[Kerouac]

That's an Euphrynichus, most likely E. bacillifer. Freshly molted, which can explain the bright pedipalps. The red will eventually change to brown, then to black.

That’s pretty exciting if so! It’s so hard to find any other species than medius around here. Thank you!

 

[Kerouac]

That's an Euphrynichus, most likely E. bacillifer. Freshly molted, which can explain the bright pedipalps. The red will eventually change to brown, then to black.

Also, while I have you and if you don’t mind, do you know what the other amplypygi I got labeled “Central American” could be? Looks like a baby medius to me. Thank you SO so much!

 

[wizentrop]

First, I must correct myself - I re-examined the photo, and it looks more like a Phrynichus, not Euphrynichus due to an extra spine on the pedipalp tibia. That's even more unusual in US imports. Now, it could also be a strange Damon species (there are some weird D. medius variations), but I very highly doubt it. In any case, not diadema 100%.
I should have said recently molted, not freshly molted. They retain the post-molt colors for a while, but as they feed and fatten up the colors fade. Until the next molt happens.

Post a photo of the other specimen, so that me or @Banshee05 can take a look.

 

[Banshee05]

Please post a couple of more pictures. It is for sure a member of the family Phrynichidae, not an Euphrynichus species, I have some doubts for Phrynichus as well. Damon spp. is most likely. e.g. I do have a species from Cameroon with red pedipalps, either a strage variation of medius or uncinatus or something else/new we will see
Please take some more shots from the pedipalps and close up of the spines on the tibia/femur.

 

[Kerouac]

Please post a couple of more pictures. It is for sure a member of the family Phrynichidae, not an Euphrynichus species, I have some doubts for Phrynichus as well. Damon spp. is most likely. e.g. I do have a species from Cameroon with red pedipalps, either a strage variation of medius or uncinatus or something else/new we will see
Please take some more shots from the pedipalps and close up of the spines on the tibia/femur.

You are both awesome and I appreciate the help so much! I will take more pictures of both close up and post in a bit when I get home. Thanks again!

 

[basin79]

Looks the spit of my Damon medius apart from those red arms. Literally like the skin has been scraped away. Really weird. Not that I know anything about them.

 

[Kerouac]

Looks the spit of my Damon medius apart from those red arms. Literally like the skin has been scraped away. Really weird. Not that I know anything about them.

The variety of these guys is nuts. None of my medius have shown any kind of red after recently molting but one is an extremely light sandy brown and another is almost black. Brown one is large body-wise while the black ones leg length is insane! She’s (?) also the one with her latest molt a 17” whipspan. My giant male diadema whipspan is right at 12” last molt. The two medius with different colors probably are some different species variety. I’m not sure, I’m new to it all but love learning as much as I can, so thanks to all for everyone’s input.

 

[basin79]

The variety of these guys is nuts. None of my medius have shown any kind of red after recently molting but one is an extremely light sandy brown and another is almost black. Brown one is large body-wise while the black ones leg length is insane! She’s (?) also the one with her latest molt a 17” whipspan. My giant male diadema whipspan is right at 12” last molt. The two medius with different colors probably are some different species variety. I’m not sure, I’m new to it all but love learning as much as I can, so thanks to all for everyone’s input.

My lass has the same coloured arms as her carapace but her actual spikes are red.

 

[Kerouac]

Ok, here are their close ups. The red guy is first, and then the one labeled “Central American” second. Added a pic with my fingernail for scale.

 

[Kerouac]

I also noted, while in the bright light, the tibia on the nonwhip legs are red and have their own joints (for lack of a better word). Maybe all have this but the joints are very visible on the red coloring. Let me know if you want higher resolution pictures. I uploaded them at a smaller size.

 

[wizentrop]

Thank you, these photos are very helpful.
Looking at the pedipalp spines, they are both Damon. Both also look Damon medius too me, however they probably originate from different localities, because there are some clear differences between them. The red pedipalp one can definitely be a non-medius Damon, like @Banshee05 mentioned. It would be interesting to observe as it turns into an adult.

 

[Kerouac]

Thank you, these photos are very helpful.
Looking at the pedipalp spines, they are both Damon. Both also look Damon medius too me, however they probably originate from different localities, because there are some clear differences between them. The red pedipalp one can definitely be a non-medius Damon, like @Banshee05 mentioned. It would be interesting to observe as it turns into an adult.

Can I ask what you are looking for In the spines and elsewhere to determine Damon, Damon medius, and the differences you see? Also what might I see if it were a different species? The only thing I’m pretty sure about is the difference between my diadema and what I assume are all my medius. Is there an explanation as to the (unusual to me) length of the pedipalps on mr red, or just another possible local variation? I would love to learn if you’re willing to show me! Thank you so much for looking. Apologies if I am asking too many questions. It’s really only been me and google for four years with these awesome amblys and having someone to actually ask is nice!

 

[basin79]

I've got some macro pics of my Damon medius if it will help the situation.

 

[Kerouac]

I've got some macro pics of my Damon medius if it will help the situation.

Yes please!

 

[basin79]

Yes please!

Not sure how helpful they'll be but here they are.

 

[Kerouac]

Not sure how helpful they'll be but here they are.

Amazing pictures! Wow the colors are striking. It’s nuts, NONE of my medius have ever looked like this- freshly molted or otherwise. The variety is insane.