B. boehmei Carapace Variability

[joossa]

I am looking to get a B. boehmei in the future. I really like the ones with a completely orange carapace and would like to get a juvenile that exhibits that trait. However, I have noticed that there seems to be some variability in the carapace of this species. See photos attached (not mine) as examples.

It looks like some have a full orange carapace, some have some light black streaking, and some have a full blown B. emilia black triangle. So, some questions for discussion:

• Do you all think this variability is just natural within the species?
• Do you think possible hybridization and subsequent back-breeding with other B. boehmei individuals has introduced and kept the variability?
• And the most important question for me as a prospective owner of a B. boehmei: Do any of you know if an indivual B. boehmei can potentially develop some black on the carapce as it grows from medium sized juvenile to adult? For example, If I buy a 3in juvinle that has a comepltely orange carapace, could it potentially develop some black as it molts and grows into adulthood? Has anyone experienced that with theirs?

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

• Do you all think this variability is just natural within the species?
• Do you think possible hybridization and subsequent back-breeding with other B. boehmei individuals has introduced and kept the variability?
• And the most important question for me as a prospective owner of a B. boehmei: Do any of you know if an indivual B. boehmei can potentially develop some black on the carapce as it grows from medium sized juvenile to adult? For example, If I buy a 3in juvinle that has a comepltely orange carapace, could it potentially develop some black as it molts and grows into adulthood? Has anyone experienced that with theirs?

"Do you all think this variability is just natural within the species?"

Yes. There will always be some variability since tarantulas reproduce sexually; offspring are not clones of the parent. Check out the iNaturalist page on Brachypelma boehmei for photos showing the variation in carapace color/ markings in wild adults.

Observations

Observations of Mexican Fireleg Tarantula

www.inaturalist.org

"Do you think possible hybridization and subsequent back-breeding with other B. boehmei individuals has introduced and kept the variability?"

No. Variability is just a natural result of reproduction between unrelated males and females. Pet trade specimens may have particular carapace markings due to hybridization, but that would be impossible to prove given most, if not all, pet trade individuals do not have well documented lineages.

"Do any of you know if an individual B. boehmei can potentially develop some black on the carapace as it grows from medium sized juvenile to adult?"

You can count on it. It is common in tarantulas to change color to some degree as they grow up and even as they go through their post-adult molts. There is no way to predict if or how color will change.

And by the way, posting pictures you found on the internet is a violation of the forum's rules on copyright.

 

[Edan bandoot]

Sericopelma sp Santa Catalina is another orange carapace spider.

If you care about having a bright orange carapace then buy an AF or multiple slings

 

[viper69]

I am looking to get a B. boehmei in the future. I really like the ones with a completely orange carapace and would like to get a juvenile that exhibits that trait. However, I have noticed that there seems to be some variability in the carapace of this species. See photos attached (not mine) as examples.

It looks like some have a full orange carapace, some have some light black streaking, and some have a full blown B. emilia black triangle. So, some questions for discussion:

• Do you all think this variability is just natural within the species?
• Do you think possible hybridization and subsequent back-breeding with other B. boehmei individuals has introduced and kept the variability?
• And the most important question for me as a prospective owner of a B. boehmei: Do any of you know if an indivual B. boehmei can potentially develop some black on the carapce as it grows from medium sized juvenile to adult? For example, If I buy a 3in juvinle that has a comepltely orange carapace, could it potentially develop some black as it molts and grows into adulthood? Has anyone experienced that with theirs?

1. Yes
2. Maybe- impossible to prove without genetic sequencing due to lineage mentioned earlier
3.Yes, Yes
@Edan bandoot all the ones I’ve seen from a quick scan look like this— need clarification from you on this orange.

Sericopelma sp. 'Santa Catalina'

Nemesis doing a lurk.

arachnoboards.com

 

[Edan bandoot]

1. Yes
2. Maybe- but hard to prove without genetic sequencing
3.Yes, Yes


@Edan bandoot all the ones I’ve seen from a quick scan look like this— need clarification from you on this orange.

Sericopelma sp. 'Santa Catalina'

Nemesis doing a lurk.

arachnoboards.com

If you'd bothered to click two more images to the left you'd see. Those are sling colours.

 

[viper69]

If you'd bothered to click two more images to the left you'd see. Those are sling colours.

I was headed back to SLEEP! thanks!

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Do you all think this variability is just natural within the species?

Yes, same with every Brachypelma species, this is why carapace colouration isn't reliable for species ID (as some people claim for differentiating smithi & hamorii).

Do you think possible hybridization and subsequent back-breeding with other B. boehmei individuals has introduced and kept the variability?

Nope.

And the most important question for me as a prospective owner of a B. boehmei: Do any of you know if an indivual B. boehmei can potentially develop some black on the carapce as it grows from medium sized juvenile to adult? For example, If I buy a 3in juvinle that has a comepltely orange carapace, could it potentially develop some black as it molts and grows into adulthood?

Yes.

@Edan bandoot all the ones I’ve seen from a quick scan look like this— need clarification from you on this orange.

Sling colours, literally the next moult after that pic he had a full orange carapace, it has faded to a darker orange as he's gotten larger though, this is him currently.

1.0 Sericopelma sp. "Santa Catalina"

• The Grym Reaper
• Dec 4, 2020
• 7
• male santa catalina big bastard santa catalina birdeater sericopelma sericopelma sp. "santa catalina" sp "santa catalina" subadult subadult male

Nemesis rocking his new suit.

 

[joossa]

Thanks, all for the responses. Good to know a T can still change colors even from medium sized juvenile up to adulthood.

 

[LucN]

Mine used to be orange when she was younger, now she sports a bit of black around the eye cluster. Nonetheless, totally orange carapace or not, boehmei are stunners ! The only downside is their tendency to... you guessed it... flick urticating hairs at the least provocation.