Avicularia Morphotypes Explained simply.

[Andrew Clayton]

Avicularia morphotypes refer to variations within species of the Avicularia genus, primarily based on physical traits such as colouration, hair patterns, and locality. These morphotypes are often categorized to help differentiate between individuals that may otherwise appear similar but have distinct traits. Only Avicularia Avicularia and Avicularia Juruensis have Morphotypes.


Avicularia Avicularia has six morphotypes.


The six morphotypes of Avicularia avicularia differ mainly in colouration, size, and locality:


Morphotype 1 (M1):


Known as the original A. avicularia, it is the most common in the pet trade. It typically has brown, gold, or green colouration with golden banding. Often sold as "sp. blue velvet" and commonly imported from Guyana.


Morphotype 2 (M2):


Previously referred to as braunshauseni, this morphotype is larger and characterized by dense red hairs on the fourth pair of legs.


Morphotype 3 (M3):


Possibly linked to geroldi. Details are less clear, but it may include an undescribed blue variant recognized within the hobby.


Morphotype 4 (M4):


Includes azureklassi and sp. Tambopota. Specific distinguishing features are not well-documented but are locality-based.


Morphotype 5 (M5):


Also possibly associated with geroldi and velutina. Like M3, its identification remains challenging due to limited descriptions.


Morphotype 6 (M6):


Commonly referred to as metallica. It has two main colour variants: a green form from the Kwitara River and a blue form from Guyana. A third variant, "metallica ceyanne," is also noted.


These morphotypes reflect geographic and physical diversity within the species.


Avicularia Juruensis.


Avicularia juruensis has two recognized morphotypes, which differ in appearance and distribution:


Morphotype 1 (M1):


Colouration: Golden and pink sheen with a whitish carapace, whitish leg rings, and long light brown hairs over shorter darker hairs. This morphotype was previously identified as A. urticans.


Distribution: Found mainly in Brazil.


Morphotype 2 (M2):


Colouration: Intense purple sheen with yellower leg rings. Females have long reddish-brown hairs on the abdomen, while males have white-tipped hairs evenly distributed on the abdomen. Commonly referred to as "sp. Peru purple" in the hobby.


Distribution: Found in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, with a broader range than M1.


These morphotypes are distinguished by their colouration and geographic range but share similar physical structures and habits.

Anyone has anything to add or if I have went wrong somewhere please let me know. Also here is a link to the full revision if anyone wants a read.

Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of Avicularia Lamarck, 1818 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae) with description of three new aviculariine genera

The genus Avicularia Lamarck, 1818 is revised and all species are rediagnosed. The type species, described as Aranea avicularia Linnaeus, 1758, is the oldest mygalomorph species described and its taxonomic history is extensive and confusing. Cladistic analyses using both equal and implied...

zookeys.pensoft.net

 

[A guy]

I thought this thread was familiar. Someone posted something like this a couple of years before.

Avicularia morphotypes

I made my thread about Avicularia care before the revision was published and so didn't include any of the new taxonomic updates. Here they are. almost two years later. I apologize if someone has already done this, but just recently it seems like some members could use some help on the subject...

arachnoboards.com

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I thought this thread was familiar. Someone posted something like this a couple of years before.

Avicularia morphotypes

I made my thread about Avicularia care before the revision was published and so didn't include any of the new taxonomic updates. Here they are. almost two years later. I apologize if someone has already done this, but just recently it seems like some members could use some help on the subject...

arachnoboards.com

Sorry I never even seen that thread, I specifically searched Avicularia Morphotypes too and it only brought up people questioning what Morphotypes they have.

 

[viper69]

Avicularia morphotypes refer to variations within species of the Avicularia genus, primarily based on physical traits such as colouration, hair patterns, and locality. These morphotypes are often categorized to help differentiate between individuals that may otherwise appear similar but have distinct traits. Only Avicularia Avicularia and Avicularia Juruensis have Morphotypes.


Avicularia Avicularia has six morphotypes.


The six morphotypes of Avicularia avicularia differ mainly in colouration, size, and locality:


Morphotype 1 (M1):


Known as the original A. avicularia, it is the most common in the pet trade. It typically has brown, gold, or green colouration with golden banding. Often sold as "sp. blue velvet" and commonly imported from Guyana.


Morphotype 2 (M2):


Previously referred to as braunshauseni, this morphotype is larger and characterized by dense red hairs on the fourth pair of legs.


Morphotype 3 (M3):


Possibly linked to geroldi. Details are less clear, but it may include an undescribed blue variant recognized within the hobby.


Morphotype 4 (M4):


Includes azureklassi and sp. Tambopota. Specific distinguishing features are not well-documented but are locality-based.


Morphotype 5 (M5):


Also possibly associated with geroldi and velutina. Like M3, its identification remains challenging due to limited descriptions.


Morphotype 6 (M6):


Commonly referred to as metallica. It has two main colour variants: a green form from the Kwitara River and a blue form from Guyana. A third variant, "metallica ceyanne," is also noted.


These morphotypes reflect geographic and physical diversity within the species.


Avicularia Juruensis.


Avicularia juruensis has two recognized morphotypes, which differ in appearance and distribution:


Morphotype 1 (M1):


Colouration: Golden and pink sheen with a whitish carapace, whitish leg rings, and long light brown hairs over shorter darker hairs. This morphotype was previously identified as A. urticans.


Distribution: Found mainly in Brazil.


Morphotype 2 (M2):


Colouration: Intense purple sheen with yellower leg rings. Females have long reddish-brown hairs on the abdomen, while males have white-tipped hairs evenly distributed on the abdomen. Commonly referred to as "sp. Peru purple" in the hobby.


Distribution: Found in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, with a broader range than M1.


These morphotypes are distinguished by their colouration and geographic range but share similar physical structures and habits.

Anyone has anything to add or if I have went wrong somewhere please let me know.

Why didn’t you list the scientific paper that caused this Morphotype naming?

Also your post leaves out very important information regarding morphotypes, and leads one to have potentially erroneous info, leading to potential hybrids.

People should read the revision.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

Why didn’t you list the scientific paper that caused this Morphotype naming?

Also your post leaves out very important information regarding morphotypes, and leads one to have potentially erroneous info, leading to potential hybrids.

People should read the revision.

The aim of the post was to break it down simply for anyone getting into the hobby and has the question what does that M6 mean at the end of my Avic Avic. It's purely about the Morphotypes, not the revision, but I agree people should read the revision, but it's hard enough trying to get people to research there own T never mind read a research paper and try and make sense of it all.
Also what is the important information I missed about Morphotypes? So I can add it in.

 

[viper69]

The aim of the post was to break it down simply for anyone getting into the hobby and has the question what does that M6 mean at the end of my Avic Avic. It's purely about the Morphotypes, not the revision, but I agree people should read the revision, but it's hard enough trying to get people to research there own T never mind read a research paper and try and make sense of it all.
Also what is the important information I missed about Morphotypes? So I can add it in.

I knew your point. You can’t force someone to read it, but they will never have that opportunity to read without the link or citation

Too many Avic owners think they can breed the morphotypes together. This would be a disaster because scientists will do DNA analysis on them, and most likely will find them to be different species. It’s no different than poison dart frogs.

 

[Andrew Clayton]

I knew your point. You can’t force someone to read it, but they will never have that opportunity to read without the link or citation

Too many Avic owners think they can breed the morphotypes together. This would be a disaster because scientists will do DNA analysis on them, and most likely will find them to be different species. It’s no different than poison dart frogs.

I've added a link to the revision in my original post now.
Yes I see where you're coming from, the revision is not finished and those Morphotypes will probably end up being different species, point of the morphotypes was to differentiate them in the mean time basically separating them but still in the same species, I think. Especially the Juruensis morphs they look completely different in size and colour. So breeding between the morphs is a definite NO if anyone reading is thinking about it.