Need Info!

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

Hello young Jedi Knights, need to know is my Aphonopelma abberans still classified under this name or is it spp. of what genus or species? I thought I heard it's no longer under this name.

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

In short, no, Aphonopelma aberrans is no longer a valid name per Gabriel (2013). In his article, Ray Gabriel examined the holotype of this species and found it to be a badly damaged immature male with no diagnostic features. Due to this and because the original description can not be used to make a certain identification, he considers the species to be "nomen dubium". Also, the holotype was collected from Casa Blanca Chile. No Aphonopelma species have been described from Chile.

As an additional note, Gabriel's paper states the location as "Casabianca" but Chamberlin's original description states "Casa Blanca" which is west of Santiago.

As far as what the spider being sold on the pet trade as Aphonopelma aberrans is, I couldn't tell you since I haven't examined anything sold under that name. The picture in your post doesn't show any identifiable characteristics that I can see so I wouldn't be able to ID it from that.

References

Gabriel, R. (2013). Revised taxonomic placement of the South American species of Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society16: 33-37.

Chamberlin, R. V. (1917). New spiders of the family Aviculariidae. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College61: 25-75

 

[Olan]

Whatever it is, it's pretty awesome looking

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

In short, no, Aphonopelma aberrans is no longer a valid name per Gabriel (2013). In his article, Ray Gabriel examined the holotype of this species and found it to be a badly damaged immature male with no diagnostic features. Due to this and because the original description can not be used to make a certain identification, he considers the species to be "nomen dubium". Also, the holotype was collected from Casa Blanca Chile. No Aphonopelma species have been described from Chile.

As an additional note, Gabriel's paper states the location as "Casabianca" but Chamberlin's original description states "Casa Blanca" which is west of Santiago.

As far as what the spider being sold on the pet trade as Aphonopelma aberrans is, I couldn't tell you since I haven't examined anything sold under that name. The picture in your post doesn't show any identifiable characteristics that I can see so I wouldn't be able to ID it from that.

References

Gabriel, R. (2013). Revised taxonomic placement of the South American species of Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society16: 33-37.

Chamberlin, R. V. (1917). New spiders of the family Aviculariidae. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College61: 25-75

My specimens was one of the original Aphonopelma abberans that were imported years ago. My question is this species now listed as Theraphosinae sp.?

 

[AphonopelmaTX]

My specimens was one of the original Aphonopelma abberans that were imported years ago. My question is this species now listed as Theraphosinae sp.?

I really have no knowledge of what has been or is circulating on the pet trade. My knowledge of species identification and systematics comes from published research. Unless you have a molt from this spider you can send out for ID, the best you can do is label it as Theraphosinae sp. "Aphonopelma aberrans". That is, unless someone else on these boards has first hand experience with tarantulas that look exactly like this or sees something in the picture that I don't.

If you do happen to have a molt laying around, I will gladly take it to help with an ID. I'm always up for that kind of challenge.

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

I really have no knowledge of what has been or is circulating on the pet trade. My knowledge of species identification and systematics comes from published research. Unless you have a molt from this spider you can send out for ID, the best you can do is label it as Theraphosinae sp. "Aphonopelma aberrans". That is, unless someone else on these boards has first hand experience with tarantulas that look exactly like this or sees something in the picture that I don't.

If you do happen to have a molt laying around, I will gladly take it to help with an ID. I'm always up for that kind of challenge.

I had a molt but it's been thrown out. I had a wild caught male as well but sold. A while back I heard that this species was no longer under the name A. abberans I just never bother looking more deeply into it until now since I'm selling her. Thanks for your feedback.