Is it possible to sex tarantula slings using a microscope? Or do they not have male/female ventral/molt shapes matching the adults?

[Arachnopotamus Rex]

Also, I saw an image online showing that it looks different per species in adults. Do we have a guide to each version yet, and is the same true for slings in terms of it looking different?

 

[viper69]

Also, I saw an image online showing that it looks different per species in adults. Do we have a guide to each version yet, and is the same true for slings in terms of it looking different?

There’s no single guide for all species that I’ve seen. There are some pieces out there with a collection of drawings for some. I found them not helpful at all because drawings vs real is huge for me, at least when I first started!

 

[spideyspinneret78]

It's definitely possible, but you need to have a trained eye and know what to look for. At very small sizes male accessory organs can look similar to the undeveloped spermathecae. For some species it's extremely difficult at early instars, for others it's quite doable. Unfortunately, there aren't many guides out there about sexing slings that include adequate photos.

 

[NMTs]

Yes. You can use a microscope to examine the molts and identify the presence of female reproductive organs.

0.1 Eucratoscelus pachypus - 1" DLS

• NMTs
• May 21, 2024
• eucratoscelus eucratoscelus pachypus female spermathecae pachypus sling stout leg baboon tarantula

For reference. I was pleasantly surprised to see 2 little nubs on this molt that measures just...

0.1 Euthycaelus sp. Cesar - 1.125" DLS

• NMTs
• May 23, 2024
• euthycaelus euthycaelus sp. cesar female spermathecae sp. cesar

For reference only. Undescribed, fossorial, dwarf species...

0.1 Davus sp. Mazunte - 0.875" DLS

• NMTs
• Jul 25, 2024
• 3
• davus davus sp. mazunte female spermathecae sp. mazunte

For reference. Undescribed species from the area near Mazunte, Oaxaca state, Mexico.

Examining the live specimens under a microscope and trying to sex them ventrally isn't practical at that size.

As for a catalog of spermathecae to reference, this site has a lot of them. Just open the spermathecae sexing gallery (where the pics above are posted) and search for the species you're interested in.

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

Only if you’re @NMTs!

 

[A guy]

You can but only if you know what to look for and have the proper equipment to do so.

 

[Arachnopotamus Rex]

I seriously need to buy a microscope and compatible camera to look through it with... wait.. do microscope cameras exist?! O-O

Yes. You can use a microscope to examine the molts and identify the presence of female reproductive organs.

0.1 Eucratoscelus pachypus - 1" DLS

• NMTs
• May 21, 2024
• eucratoscelus eucratoscelus pachypus female spermathecae pachypus sling stout leg baboon tarantula

For reference. I was pleasantly surprised to see 2 little nubs on this molt that measures just...

0.1 Euthycaelus sp. Cesar - 1.125" DLS

• NMTs
• May 23, 2024
• euthycaelus euthycaelus sp. cesar female spermathecae sp. cesar

For reference only. Undescribed, fossorial, dwarf species...

0.1 Davus sp. Mazunte - 0.875" DLS

• NMTs
• Jul 25, 2024
• 3
• davus davus sp. mazunte female spermathecae sp. mazunte

For reference. Undescribed species from the area near Mazunte, Oaxaca state, Mexico.

Examining the live specimens under a microscope and trying to sex them ventrally isn't practical at that size.

As for a catalog of spermathecae to reference, this site has a lot of them. Just open the spermathecae sexing gallery (where the pics above are posted) and search for the species you're interested in.

What kind of microscope/brand/model is that?

 

[Fini]

I was reading this thread and with fresh exuviums, decided to give this a whirl. The specimen used was a 1.5 inch A. geniculata.

Using a combination of illuminated magnifying eyeglasses and a $35 USB/WiFi microscope, I could say there's about a 70% chance it was a male. I worked with the exuvium quite a bit trying to get good details, but it's hard at this size. I'd imagine a couple more molts would improve the determination significantly. That said, I was impressed with the view I could get from the Ninyoon 4K WiFi Microscope. I need to use a better rigging to keep it steady, but the clarity was superb.

Sorry, I wasn't able to juggle to capture a solid image.

 

[Arachnopotamus Rex]

I was reading this thread and with fresh exuviums, decided to give this a whirl. The specimen used was a 1.5 inch A. geniculata.

Using a combination of illuminated magnifying eyeglasses and a $35 USB/WiFi microscope, I could say there's about a 70% chance it was a male. I worked with the exuvium quite a bit trying to get good details, but it's hard at this size. I'd imagine a couple more molts would improve the determination significantly. That said, I was impressed with the view I could get from the Ninyoon 4K WiFi Microscope. I need to use a better rigging to keep it steady, but the clarity was superb.

Sorry, I wasn't able to juggle to capture a solid image.

Thats very encouraging! maybe I don't need to spend several grand? lol.

 

[A guy]

Thats very encouraging! maybe I don't need to spend several grand? lol.

I use a kid's cheap microscope from Amazon. Smallest I've sexed out is this 1/2" Aphonopelma sling.

 

[TheraMygale]

It is absolutely possible. Its just time, effort, and getting a good molt.

 

[NMTs]

I seriously need to buy a microscope and compatible camera to look through it with... wait.. do microscope cameras exist?! O-O


What kind of microscope/brand/model is that?

My setup is a Walter model QZFN-3 with an LED ring light. Any binocular or trinocular stereo microscope with stage lighting will work, though. They do make cameras that mount on the microscope, but these pics are just taken with my phone through the eyepiece. I got a camera for it a few weeks ago but haven't had time to set it up yet. Hoping to do that tomorrow, so you might see some new pics soon.

Like @Marcostaco said, you don't have to get an expensive or fancy setup for it to be effective. For a long time I used a pocket microscope that I bought online for $20 and was able to sex some pretty small slings. It's just way easier with good equipment. You have to decide if knowing the sex of the specimens in your collection when they're really small is worth the investment - for some of us it definitely is, and for others it doesn't matter so much.

 

[TheraMygale]

My setup is a Walter model QZFN-3 with an LED ring light. Any binocular or trinocular stereo microscope with stage lighting will work, though. They do make cameras that mount on the microscope, but these pics are just taken with my phone through the eyepiece. I got a camera for it a few weeks ago but haven't had time to set it up yet. Hoping to do that tomorrow, so you might see some new pics soon.

Like @Marcostaco said, you don't have to get an expensive or fancy setup for it to be effective. For a long time I used a pocket microscope that I bought online for $20 and was able to sex some pretty small slings. It's just way easier with good equipment. You have to decide if knowing the sex of the specimens in your collection when they're really small is worth the investment - for some of us it definitely is, and for others it doesn't matter so much.

If they can do it with 20$, that says enough.

More expensive equipement makes it easier. Depends on long term goals.

i wanted to breed. But at this point, im sexing no one even if it was my plan. Its hard work to keep creatures alive who do nothing.

I will leave breeding to those who have bigger ambitions.

 

[Arachnopotamus Rex]

If they can do it with 20$, that says enough.

More expensive equipement makes it easier. Depends on long term goals.

i wanted to breed. But at this point, im sexing no one even if it was my plan. Its hard work to keep creatures alive who do nothing.

I will leave breeding to those who have bigger ambitions.

I found it to be theraputic, especially enclosure setup and feeding. But on most days there is too much down time when I only have a few Tarantulas.

I'd be happy managing a large invert, reptile, small mammal, fish, and amphibian collection in its own room, my own little microzoo.

Most of my Tarantulas are slings at the moment, and not knowing if they are male or female has been bugging me, I might try out that cheap one to see what I can see immediately, then get the professional one a bit later.
I will probably breed my 10 most favorite tarantulas first, and then gauge how much time I have to do others.

This one is pleased with all the help everyone has given, many thanks.

 

[Brewser]

Answer is...
Yes
with proper technique and equipment