Sarkhan42
Arachnoangel
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2015
- Messages
- 900
This last week I was afforded the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica, and spend time at several places immersed completely in the rainforest, dry forest, highland cloud forest, mangrove forest, etc around me.
I have dozens of photos to post once I get settled back at home, but this for me was one of the Crown Jewels that just couldn’t wait.
It was the only species of Theraphosidae that I was able to find over the brief week, but from what I’ve been able to break down- it’s not a described species, having only 1 stock photo(that I could find) out there on the internet. If anyone has more info or an actual description I’d love to have it, as right now I’m lovingly referring to it as Aphonopelma sp. “Puravida”.
In total I found and photographed 7 specimens, and did my best not to disturb them, which is why I completely lack ventral photos. From what I do have, they seem near identical in characteristics to Aphonopelma seemani- except they trade out those charismatic leg stripes for an anywhere from cream to yellow orange gradient (probably based on size/molt cycle) up the first two pairs of legs.
Enjoy the photos I was able to snap while I was there, albeit maybe not the best quality(curse the iPhone camera) I’m still incredibly pleased to even have the opportunity to see them in the wild. If it isn’t described I look forward to perhaps going back during graduate school better equipped to learn more about them, and give them a proper name.
I have dozens of photos to post once I get settled back at home, but this for me was one of the Crown Jewels that just couldn’t wait.
It was the only species of Theraphosidae that I was able to find over the brief week, but from what I’ve been able to break down- it’s not a described species, having only 1 stock photo(that I could find) out there on the internet. If anyone has more info or an actual description I’d love to have it, as right now I’m lovingly referring to it as Aphonopelma sp. “Puravida”.
In total I found and photographed 7 specimens, and did my best not to disturb them, which is why I completely lack ventral photos. From what I do have, they seem near identical in characteristics to Aphonopelma seemani- except they trade out those charismatic leg stripes for an anywhere from cream to yellow orange gradient (probably based on size/molt cycle) up the first two pairs of legs.
Enjoy the photos I was able to snap while I was there, albeit maybe not the best quality(curse the iPhone camera) I’m still incredibly pleased to even have the opportunity to see them in the wild. If it isn’t described I look forward to perhaps going back during graduate school better equipped to learn more about them, and give them a proper name.