- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 336
Good deal, half and half with a bonus of a male tarantula's lifespanThat's the second new gynandromorph I've seen pictures of in as many weeks. There's actually a dealer that has a gynandromorph T. stirmi for sale right now. $15k (no joke) and it's yours....
Stir me…$15k (no joke) and it's yours
then it would be split down the middle color wise...not just the bottom of the abdomen where there is no hair...even the book lungs just above that look the same..@cold blood If you're wondering what it appears to be. It seems to be a case of gynandromorph, which means it contains features of both male and female characteristics. It's quite a rare thing to see it with tarantulas, but I guess this is a proven case.
The color is split, but since G. pulchripes doesn't display a high degree of sexual dimorphism in comparison to say L. nigerrimum, it's not as noticeable as other known gynandromorphs. Aside from the coloration split that is more easily noticed on the abdomen and carapace (and patellas), the specimen displays other MM morphology on it's right side only, like a palpal bulb, hook, and longer, skinnier legs. The morphology of the left side of the animal lacks all of these features.then it would be split down the middle color wise...not just the bottom of the abdomen where there is no hair...even the book lungs just above that look the same..
What I was wondering too lolAre they alive?
You can see this split on the carapace aswell.then it would be split down the middle color wise...not just the bottom of the abdomen where there is no hair...even the book lungs just above that look the same..
you are correct...its just so subtle I missed it and concentrated my attention more ventrally, where the only difference I see is that "bald spot".The color is split, but since G. pulchripes doesn't display a high degree of sexual dimorphism
The chelicerae on the male side are smaller as well, wonder if it affects eating.Aside from the coloration split that is more easily noticed on the abdomen and carapace (and patellas), the specimen displays other MM morphology on it's left side only, like a palpal bulb, hook, and longer, skinnier legs. The morphology of the right side of the animal lacks all of these features.
That was exactly what I was thinking too. This tarantula would need to placed into a jar of alcohol as soon as it dies for long term preservation. Dissection of the genital plate to see what female organs are present, if any, would need to be performed too. I would predict it would have half of a spermathecae, maybe half of a uterus too, on the side that lacks the male palpal bulbs and tibial spurs. Further questions come to mind as well about the reproductive anatomy. Does it have testes and ovaries? If so, which one or does it have both?@CHLee, if this is your specimen, may I ask if you were ever able to retrieve an intact, sexable molt? I'm curious to know if the spermathecae is fully present, absent altogether, or possibly deformed.
Wondering what would happen if this happens to a species like Augacephalus junodi where females are much much larger than males.It seems to be a case of gynandromorph, which means it contains features of both male and female characteristics. It's quite a rare thing to see it with tarantulas, but I guess this is a proven case.