Austin, TX area tarantula

[texag02]

I found this in NW Austin. What type of Aphonopelma could this be?

 

[biomarine2000]

Looks like a Aponophelma hentzi to me. I'm by no means an expert.

 

[sinflspeed]

I think it is too far south to be hentzi. Looks like A. anax , but with the diverse Aphonopelma group through out Texas it is hard to say with complete confidence which it is. I would haul it to Dave at Zookeepers and have him give it a once over. He would be able to better identify it in person. Goodluck!

 

[_bob_]

What street did you find it on?w

 

[texag02]

What street did you find it on?w

It was found in Riverplace, which is a neighborhood in northwest Austin.

 

[reverendsterlin]

lol, most likely hentzi. If you want a for sure ID take it to David at ZooKeepers on Burnet Rd just south of 183. David usually works Tues-Fri.

 

[Hilikus311]

I think it is too far south to be hentzi. Looks like A. anax , but with the diverse Aphonopelma group through out Texas it is hard to say with complete confidence which it is. I would haul it to Dave at Zookeepers and have him give it a once over. He would be able to better identify it in person. Goodluck!

I second that!:clap:

 

[codykrr]

im going to say A. anax. but i could be wrong. its for sure either A. anax or A. henzi and with henzi you cant go by color forms(though that would make it nice.) because missouri A. henzi are alot darker that oklahoma henzi, and arkansas henzi are almost black. even the carapace. i say A. anax strictly based on local...usually deamed "texas tan" . but that doesnt mean it couldnt be an A. henzi. anyhow here is a picture of my missouri based A. henzi...and notice its alot darker than oklaho versions. http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=142641&page=3

you can see her about half way down.

 

[Galapoheros]

I think the chances are very good that it's what people call henzi, right now anyway. I think they are still trying to figure it out here in tx but getting closer.

 

[_bob_]

Looks just like whats found on red bud trail

PHOTO TAKEN BY SYNDICATE

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=138560

 

[Galapoheros]

I've heard the redbud stuff is prob henzi, don't know though.

 

[_bob_]

same here... lets see if hamfoto will post about his thoughts on the matter. He did a lot of research on these guys

 

[MizM]

lol, most likely hentzi. If you want a for sure ID take it to David at ZooKeepers on Burnet Rd just south of 183. David usually works Tues-Fri.

I second this. Dave has been working with DNA identification and has found that there are more color variations within our Texas Aphos than previously thought. If you can give him a location, he can definitely tell you what it is.

 

[arrowhd]

It does look similar to A. hentzi I've found here in Southern Missouri. I have to admit though, I've always had trouble seeing any difference visually between A. hentzi and A. anax.

 

[Galapoheros]

"I think" Chris is doing the DNA testing while Dave is helping with locality and morphological feature info, you'd just have to talk to Dave at the store to find out. Maybe we'll hear more about the DNA testing sooner or later in the final cut, ..until there's another final cut, then another....

 

[hamfoto]

Yeah, it's A. hentzi. That's all I can say now...more info will be available soon. But basically everything in the Austin area is A. hentzi. That spider A. hentzi is a special one...it has TONS of variation throughout its range.

Chris

 

[codykrr]

hamfoto...do you happen to have a picture of a true A. anax then? im really curious to see the diffrences. i know from my personal experience i have found many diffrent color forms of A. henzi as well. when i see my wifes family(drumwright Ok) i find that those are alot more tan, with very chocolate brown legs. and here in Sw missouri i see they have almost black legs with a darker carapace. and then even further south(arkansas) i see they have the same almost black legs as missouri A. henzi, but with more of a charcoal grey carapace. also i have noticed that mature males seem to show the most noticable color diffrences from region to region. im very curious about this species, and it is probly my favorite of all north american Ts. so any info is much apreciated.

 

[MizM]

Yeah, it's A. hentzi. That's all I can say now...more info will be available soon. But basically everything in the Austin area is A. hentzi. That spider A. hentzi is a special one...it has TONS of variation throughout its range.

Chris

Do you know when the paper will be published?

 

[GoTerps]

Do you know when the paper will be published?

We'll, I won't speak for Chris too much, but I imagine there could be multiple "papers" (pieces of a larger work) dealing with TX theraphosids in some way, which could (and hopefully will be) published over time... but Chris should be busy putting the final touches on his thesis, not posting on arachnoboards ;P
Eric

 

[MizM]

I've heard bits and pieces about what's been discovered and am dying to hear the final report. I've been on the edge of my seat for weeks now! This is really exciting stuff, since Aphonopelma has been such a mess for so long.