Phormictopus auratus Ortiz & Bertani, 2005

[Michael Jacobi]

Ortiz, D. & R. Bertani. 2005.
A new species in the spider genus Phormictopus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) from Cuba.
Revista Iberica de Aracnologia 11 (30-VI-2005): 29-36.

There is a possibility that this species is what we have in the pet trade and have been referring to as Phormictopus platus or P. cubensis. I am waiting on the paper and can offer no more information at this time.

As always, keep an eye on THE TARANTULA BIBLIOGRAPHY for taxonomic updates and literature pertaining to theraphosid spiders.

Cheers, Michael

 

[FryLock]

Ortiz, D. & R. Bertani. 2005.
A new species in the spider genus Phormictopus (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) from Cuba.
Revista Iberica de Aracnologia 11 (30-VI-2005): 29-36.

Apparently, this species is what we have in the pet trade and have been referring to as Phormictopus platus or P. cubensis. I am waiting on the paper and can offer no more information at this time.

Michael that is still not confirmed 100% yet, i know a person that is are waiting on an answer from Cuba about pet trade material.

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Michael that is still not confirmed 100% yet, i know a person that is are waiting on an answer from Cuba about pet trade material.

OK. I reworded that sentence. MJ

 

[M.F.Bagaturov]

As I know, Bill, Radan Kaderka already got this confirmation from Ortiz.
and study the hobby material long ago...

 

[metallica]

Mikhail, could it be that the eastern europe material is diffrent from the UK stuff?

 

[FryLock]

As I know, Bill, Radan Kaderka already got this confirmation from Ortiz. and study the hobby material long ago...

Has he made that finding public yet, as he has updated his page on the genus but has removed the "sold as P.platus" remark from the Phormictopus auratus section last time i looked (it was there when it was listed as P.sp "de Holguín" iirc), which makes sence as every spider in the pet trade sold as P.platus or P.cubensis may not be P.auratus even if there not the spiders there sold as.

But if there relabled as P.auratus on speculation and are not, and then the real P.auratus enters the pet trade..

Mikhail, could it be that the eastern europe material is diffrent from the UK stuff?

That's possible Eddy as they may have entered from differnet sources to western Europe.

 

[M.F.Bagaturov]

BILL, the spider on the pic as well as some other pics I saw and which one comes from Cuba sold in Europe (mine and other in Russian hobby come from Czech Republic) for at least last 2 years as Phormictopus platus and this was nothing just like "trade-name" we both know, isn't it?
So, this particular spiders examinined by Radan (it is also was ref. as P.sp "de Holguín" doubted by him as P. platus in earlier version of his article (can send it to You in *pdf) is Phormictopus auratus sensu Ortiz&Bertani, 2005.
EDDY: As far as I know the "P. cubensis" sold in UK is the same spider from Cuba as pet-trade "P. platus" sold in Czech.

So, what else do You want to know for this information being correct to You?

 

[metallica]

EDDY: As far as I know the "P. cubensis" sold in UK is the same spider from Cuba as pet-trade "P. platus" sold in Czech.

So, what else do You want to know for this information being correct to You?

i was thinking of Germany, not UK.

 

[Michael Jacobi]

MIKHAIL, Please email the PDF you mentioned to editor@arachnoculture.com.


I can only comment on the spiders that have entered the US hobby. I have purchased some as both "platus" and "cubensis" that I have raised and look identical. However, this is based solely on superficial resemblance - I have not thoroughly examined them to look for differences in important characters.

Cheers, Michael

 

[metallica]

from Dutch petshop

 

[M.F.Bagaturov]

Hello!

The same spider as well, Eddy, as mine.
Do not think we have anyone other similar from Cuba in hobby.
So Yours should be Phormictopus auratus. Don't know why it is so dubiouse for some people. To be sure - contact either Radan Kaderka. He is "deep in the subject".

To SpiderShoppe: I have mailed You some propositions recently as well as some of my friends e-mailed You their materials...
Seems so Your email dont work... still no answer... so check it...
Thanks!

 

[BakuBak]

and this is platus from poland



so it would be good idea to call them P.sp"platus" ?? to show people confusion with this spp ??

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Mikhail,

I have received no such email. Which address have you and your associates used? Please resend to Michael@SpiderShoppe.com. There may be some reason that your messages were quarantined by my Postini spam filtering on the arachnoculture.com accounts, but I can't seem to remember the password to log into the quarantined message area! I am able to access filtered messages to the spidershoppe.com accounts.

Cheers, Michael

 

[M.F.Bagaturov]

Hello Radek!

and this is platus from poland
so it would be good idea to call them P.sp"platus" ?? to show people confusion with this spp ??

I think it is the same P. auratus as above.
It was really and not been called platus but sp. "platus" becouse I do not think it was correctly identified (nobody knows who done it) - that was simply the trade-name.
As far as I know Ortiz just right now studies the type material of P. platus from Tortuga Island to find it's relationship with his new P. auratus.

 

[angelarachnid]

Instead of "kodak taxonomy" we should be comparing dead specimens, moults etc with the type specimens.

Ray

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Instead of "kodak taxonomy" we should be comparing dead specimens, moults etc with the type specimens.

Ray

Hello Ray,

I've never heard that expression - kodak taxonomy - :clap: Love it!

It's interesting that Ortiz & Betani's paper notes differences between the new species and a number of its congeners, both native to Cuba and elsewhere, but not P. platus. If Ortiz is indeed reviewing platus material we will have to wait for that report. Until then I won't be relabeling cages or photos; although I do look forward to checking out the next molt under the 'scope.

Cheers, Michael