Lampropelma Violaceopes Sexual Dimorphism

[Poec54]

Oddly, I've never raised a male to maturity.

Just wait, it's coming. I usually seem to have 2 or 3 dozen MM's at any given time.

 

[cold blood]

Just wait, it's coming. I usually seem to have 2 or 3 dozen MM's at any given time.

I know for certain I have a bunch of juvies atm..and who knows how many slings:laugh:

 

[tbrandt]

Before the males ugly color change you can sex them via the "dot method". I've done it twice sadly.

Thanks Viper69, thats much appreciated. How early does the epiandrous fusilae 'dot' show up. My slings are 1.5" currently so I probably won't be able to see the dot for a bit yet, but I am glad to know that this method will work before the color change molt.

At what size do they typically begin showing this characteristic? Thanks again.

 

[Poec54]

Thanks Viper69, thats much appreciated. How early does the epiandrous fusilae 'dot' show up. My slings are 1.5" currently so I probably won't be able to see the dot for a bit yet, but I am glad to know that this method will work before the color change molt.

At what size do they typically begin showing this characteristic? Thanks again.

Probably at 2nd instar, but you'd need magnification and strong lighting. For many species, at 2-3" it's easy to see with the naked eye and a flashlight.

 

[viper69]

Probably at 2nd instar, but you'd need magnification and strong lighting. For many species, at 2-3" it's easy to see with the naked eye and a flashlight.

Just like he said above- he taught it to me. Naked eye at 2", the wait is quick, they have pretty ravenous appetite at this size range.

 

[tbrandt]

Probably at 2nd instar, but you'd need magnification and strong lighting. For many species, at 2-3" it's easy to see with the naked eye and a flashlight.

Thank you! That is excellent. I will keep checking in on them in the early morning before dark and hope for a ventral pose.

Just like he said above- he taught it to me. Naked eye at 2", the wait is quick, they have pretty ravenous appetite at this size range.

Much appreciated to you both for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Mako16]

Here's my female if it helps. She's about 2.75''

 

[tbrandt]

Here's my female if it helps. She's about 2.75''

Seriously, beautiful! Thanks for the picture. This sort of media documentation of different ages/stages is invaluable. Thank you for posting.

This tarantula is gorgeous and unique as an adult, but I am sure it would be prized in the hobby if it stayed at this coloration.

 

[Graeboe]

Both of mine had blue purple tinged to them until their ultimate molts. That's when they turned the sorta brownish mossy green color. Unfortunately one did not survive his molt

 

[Angel Minkov]

I wonder why so many tarantula species are different in coloration during separate parts of their lifecycle. Seems rather odd to me. What good could that do? If it was a sign for predators to back off (blue coloration on L. violaceopes) then why change it after maturing?

 

[persistent]

I've yet to see any immature male L. violaceopes specimens to turn green before maturation tbh (I've got eight immatures atm).

for example this is a 4" DLS confirmed male:

 

[viper69]

I wonder why so many tarantula species are different in coloration during separate parts of their lifecycle. Seems rather odd to me. What good could that do? If it was a sign for predators to back off (blue coloration on L. violaceopes) then why change it after maturing?

I've wondered the same thing, as well as, why some species don't change at all, such as the Pumpkin Patch, and A. minatrix for example

 

[Poec54]

I've yet to see any immature male L. violaceopes specimens to turn green before maturation tbh (I've got eight immatures atm).

There's some variation, probably due to what part of their range they originally came from. There are captive bred specimens in Europe that have been circulated to other countries (slings were $400 as when they first came to the US). There's also w/c adults/juveniles still being imported, and that's lowered prices. Most of mine are from recent w/c bloodlines, and the males start to fade before maturity.

If your 8 are all related, then that's not enough to draw conclusions from.

 

[Fabertism]

Can you explain the "dot method" for sexing Lampropelma?

 

[Poec54]

Can you explain the "dot method" for sexing Lampropelma?

Applies to any species. Males have a light or dark dot right above their vent (towards the pedicel). They have extra, tiny spinnerets there.

 

[Fabertism]

How about this?