Euathlus sp.

[Crone Returns]

Hi. So I've been exploring the euathlus, and I am really impressed with those little creatures.
My question is: is the reason there's the different colors because they come from different microclimates and eat different food?
Is this discussed in the book tarantula keepers guide? I know I have to get it.
Thanks

 

[EulersK]

I love the Euathlus genus, but... yeah, it's a mess. It's become a dumping ground for unidentified species. The reason they come in so many colors is because they are different species, most likely. Always be wary when buying this genus unless you're getting it from a very reputable breeder/dealer.

From what I recall, no, it's not discussed in TKG.

 

[Crone Returns]

I love the Euathlus genus, but... yeah, it's a mess. It's become a dumping ground for unidentified species. The reason they come in so many colors is because they are different species, most likely. Always be wary when buying this genus unless you're getting it from a very reputable breeder/dealer.

From what I recall, no, it's not discussed in TKG.

 

[Crone Returns]

Thanks for the advice. Now if i could just learn how to post replies...ha!
Yeah it's real confusing. There's an E. vulpunis, E. red, E. blue...there's a purple one. Jeez. This is too confusing for a newbie. They (I forget which site) say that something was a hommeous?
I want a red and a trucul. I don't think I can get into much trouble going that way...

 

[Walter1]

Euathlus is pretty much a dumping ground for taxonomic mysteries that might otherwise go in Grammostola, etc. I keep several of the scientifically yet to be described but clearly different ones. I like all Ts Chilean. Find one you like.

 

[EulersK]

I have an E. truculentus and an E. sp. "Green femur", although the latter was sold to me as an E. pulcherrimaklaasi. However, that species is quite rare in the hobby, so it's unlikely that I have it... although, it looks darn close to pictures I've seen.

Side note: The species name wouldn't be Euathlus red. It's Euathlus sp. "Red". Verbally, you'd say 'Euathlus species red'. When you see the "sp.", it usually means that a proper classification has not been described, and what follows in quotations is usually either the discoverer's name or a description of the species itself.

 

[Crone Returns]

Euathlus is pretty much a dumping ground for taxonomic mysteries that might otherwise go in Grammostola, etc. I keep several of the scientifically yet to be described but clearly different ones. I like all Ts Chilean. Find one you like.

They're pretty cool aren't they. They seem to be curious. My B. albopilosum is flat out funny, she's great to watch. The Es look like they're fun too.
So do they do DNA testing to figure out who belongs to what?

 

[Walter1]

They're pretty cool aren't they. They seem to be curious. My B. albopilosum is flat out funny, she's great to watch. The Es look like they're fun too.
So do they do DNA testing to figure out who belongs to what?

Here's the problem. Yes- DNA, morphology, geographic distribution, and behavior will tell the researcher how close it is related to which other species and is it different at the species level. The problem is that used to be that scientists got to the animal first. Now, pet collectors get to them, so we get batches of animals for pets that are unknown formally to science. Best to keep what looks different separate. I have green femurs, E. 'Parda', and others. I await scientific determination. In the meantime, I breed separately so as not to risk hybridization forced in captivity.

 

[BobBarley]

Here's the problem. Yes- DNA, morphology, geographic distribution, and behavior will tell the researcher how close it is related to which other species and is it different at the species level. The problem is that used to be that scientists got to the animal first. Now, pet collectors get to them, so we get batches of animals for pets that are unknown formally to science. Best to keep what looks different separate. I have green femurs, E. 'Parda', and others. I await scientific determination. In the meantime, I breed separately so as not to risk hybridization forced in captivity.

Yup, and DNA testing is very expensive and most don't have the funds to do it to "just a spider".

 

[MikeC]

Thanks for the advice. Now if i could just learn how to post replies...ha!

I think you're hitting "quote" instead of "reply?"

 

[ErinM31]

Yeah, the classification is a mess. The Euathlus sp. red/Chilean dwarf flame is almost certainly the same species as Euathlus sp. yellow (this was the consensus of several dealers I contacted and probably why you rarely see the "yellow" offered in the U.S.) -- their temperaments are the same and they really don't look much different.

Check out this video that louise f posted in another thread:
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I have two Euathlus sp. red/flame adults and they are wonderful spiders, beautiful and fantastic temperament.

 

[Vanessa]

They are the last ones on my list and I am hoping to get a couple at the show next weekend. I've heard nothing but positive things about them.

 

[EulersK]

They are the last ones on my list and I am hoping to get a couple at the show next weekend. I've heard nothing but positive things about them.

Here's a negative; they don't get very large On the flip side, they're pretty adorable. You can never have too many Euathlus sp.!

 

[Vanessa]

Here's a negative; they don't get very large On the flip side, they're pretty adorable. You can never have too many Euathlus sp.!

I have a male and female G. pulchripes, so they fill the 'really big spider' requirement in my collection. Really small requirement still needs to be met. Unless I can include my rescued P. audax as an honourary tarantula.

 

[ErinM31]

Here's a negative; they don't get very large On the flip side, they're pretty adorable. You can never have too many Euathlus sp.!

Aww, that's not a negative! There are PLENTY of large species of tarantula! These adorable tarantulas easily fit in the palm of your hand. And as you said, it is thus easier to keep more!

 

[viper69]

Hi. So I've been exploring the euathlus, and I am really impressed with those little creatures.
My question is: is the reason there's the different colors because they come from different microclimates and eat different food?
Is this discussed in the book tarantula keepers guide? I know I have to get it.
Thanks

Euathlus is a genus classification used for species that have yet to be described by science. It's not a genus that is specifically used for Chilean Ts. At one point in time B. smithi's were in fact Euathlus as well and they are in Mexico.

Some people think E sp Red and E sp Yellow are different species, some think the same species, maybe even a subspecies. The truth is, no one knows. They have been collected in different parts of Chile, but that doesn't mean anything necessarily.

Currently Euathlus is being used for a variety of small tarantulas from Chile. There are at least 12 different E. sp (insert color) in the hobby, not including locality names instead of color names. Some of the common names use for these small Ts are duplicates, that is 2 different names at times can be the same locality. Keep them all separate for breeding purposes.

 

[Crone Returns]

Euathlus is a genus classification used for species that have yet to be described by science. It's not a genus that is specifically used for Chilean Ts. At one point in time B. smithi's were in fact Euathlus as well and they are in Mexico.

Some people think E sp Red and E sp Yellow are different species, some think the same species, maybe even a subspecies. The truth is, no one knows. They have been collected in different parts of Chile, but that doesn't mean anything necessarily.

Currently Euathlus is being used for a variety of small tarantulas from Chile. There are at least 12 different E. sp (insert color) in the hobby, not including locality names instead of color names. Some of the common names use for these small Ts are duplicates, that is 2 different names at times can be the same locality. Keep them all separate for breeding purposes.

I'll breed only red to red. The yellows are pretty but you make a valid point.