Boxing Gloves?

[youngcrawler]

Are The Boxing Gloves That develop on a mature male really noticable? Will i notice them if they develop or will it be just a slight difference in size.
*****Just wodering*****

 

[Windchaser]

Yes, they are fairly noticable. They look quite different from the immature pedipalps. More noticable though would be the tibial hooks. Though, there are some species that don't develop the hooks.

 

[Crunchie]

They are actually fairly noticeable (at least in species I've kept) though if you havent seen them before the first thing you'll notice is that the palps simply look different and he will often hold them out in front of him when he walks. Closer inspection will reveal the little boxing glove shaped ends.

 

[bagheera]

You can miss 'em! They are even conspicous on a small spider webbed in the corner of the ceiling!

 

[Windchaser]

You can miss 'em! They are even conspicous on a small spider webbed in the corner of the ceiling!

Did you mean to say that you can't miss them?

 

[youngcrawler]

WindChaser you said the tibial hooks are more noticable? This is going to sound stupid but whats the tibial hooks? Do they develop the boxing gloves aswell...... As you can tell im new to this Any Comments

 

[critterz]

Tibial hooks are clawlike protrusions on the front 2 legs of a male T. The species that develop them use them to hold the females fangs out of harm's way during copulation.

 

[Lopez]

Hi youngcrawler.

Mature male tarantulas have two key characteristics.
Firstly, the pedipalps develop "boxing gloves"
Secondly, the front legs develop tibial apophyses (hooks/spurs) in what would be the "armpit" of the leg

It is important to note two things though

1) Not all spiders get the hooks/spurs - some species lack them. But ALL get the "boxing gloves"

2) These features do not grow over time. One day it will have no "boxing gloves", the next day it will moult and they are there. Just like that. From that moment on, the male's life is on a countdown timer.

 

[Mattyb]

Boxing gloves and tribal hooks are very easy to see. Well atleast i've had no problems.



-Mattyb

 

[BlkCat]

It is important to note two things though

1) Not all spiders get the hooks/spurs - some species lack them. But ALL get the "boxing gloves"

u have peaked my interest. Is there a large # of Ts that dont get them? Any in the trade? Only specific genus?
Please tell me more. Dont leave me hanging!!

 

[bagheera]

You can miss 'em! They are even conspicous on a small spider webbed in the corner of the ceiling!

Ah, yes! I meant to say can't . You might say I can type!

 

[Windchaser]

u have peaked my interest. Is there a large # of Ts that dont get them? Any in the trade? Only specific genus?
Please tell me more. Dont leave me hanging!!

There is a fair number. The current issue of Arachnoculture has a list of 29 different taxa where the ultimate males lack tibial apophyses. There are definitely some in the trade, most notably the T. blondi. I don't want to post the list here because I don't want to violate any copyright laws. Perhaps Michael Jacobi would be willing to post the list. It would make an excellent sticky thread. (I know, not another sticky thread). Perhaps it could be added to the sticky anatomy thread.

Better yet, why don't you buy a copy of Arachnoculture. (Shameless plug for Mike).

 

[Windchaser]

Ah, yes! I meant to say can't . You might say I can type!

Neither I can.

 

[LPacker79]

Here's a link to a post here on AB where species/genera without tibial hooks were listed:
Clickety Click

 

[Windchaser]

Here's a link to a post here on AB where species/genera without tibial hooks were listed:
Clickety Click

That is the same list. That post predated me here on the boards, so I wasn't aware of it. Thanks for posting.

A quick question about the list though. With a listing such as:
POECILOTHERIA Simon, 1885: India and Sri Lanka

does that mean that all Pokie ultimate males, of any species, do not possess tibial apophysis, or is this some different form of notation for a specific species? I just want to make sure I understand the list correctly.

 

[Joe1968]

heres a picture of my very docile and very dead H. lividum.

heres some pic of hoooks or Tibial spurs and boxing gloves or bulb, the bulb if you notice has a tiny fangs that instead of injecting venom, they inject sperm on to the female.

 

[youngcrawler]

Great Pictures!

 

[Mr Ed]

I know T. Blondi doesn't have any hooks, but what about T. Apophysis?

 

[LPacker79]

apophysis has hooks.

 

[Mr Ed]

apophysis has hooks.

I thought so, but couldn't remember.