Psalmopoeus cambridgei (Trinidad Chevron) - using color to sex

[Phases]

So my 3", I posted a pic here for people to try to guess the sex, and got a couple M votes:

http://arachnoboards.com/gallery/p-cambridgei-3.42312/

However, today the little guy or gal molted and its noticably greener. And the orange markings on the legs look nicer. I read that males are grey to brown, and females are brown to green in color "with orange markings on legs".

https://sta.uwi.edu/fst/lifesciences/documents/Psalmopoeus_cambridgei.pdf

I am wondering, might I have a female on my hands? Unsure size yet.

 

[Ungoliant]

However, today the little guy or gal molted and its noticably greener. And the orange markings on the legs look nicer. I read that males are grey to brown, and females are brown to green in color "with orange markings on legs".

I don't know if Psalmopoeus cambridgei can be reliably sexed by color. ::summons @cold blood::

My 3" Psalmopoeus cambridgei (confirmed female by molt) looks more brown/orange than green.


If you can extract the exuviae without hurting the tarantula, that would be the best way to sex it.

My 3" female's exuviae:


Ventral shot of the same tarantula (with exuviae shown bottom-left):

 

[Phases]

Ugh. I extracted it but it's so mangled and crunched, I don't think it'd be any use. I can't even find the abdomen section.

Well, I could measure he, she stretched halfway out the other side while I was extracting. Went from 3 to 4 inches Her, Him... I'll get an undershot soon as I can.

 

[Ungoliant]

Ugh. I extracted it but it's so mangled and crunched, I don't think it'd be any use. I can't even find the abdomen section.

The abdomen will be a twisted wad of softer tissue, usually attached to the sternum and carapace. If you have this, there is still a chance it could be sexed.

Using sharp scissors, separate the abdomen from the rest of the exuviae. Then fill a small dish with water, and add a drop of dish soap. (This decreases the surface tension of the water, making it easier to rehydrate the exuviae. Otherwise, it just tends to float on the surface.) Add the abdomen, and push it below the surface. Let it soak for a few minutes.

When it's done soaking, you should be able to easily untwist the abdomen. I find that if you cut off the section below both pairs of book lungs (this is not needed), the section you do need will stay open. Otherwise, it has a tendency to fold in on itself.

 

[Phases]

Oh my! OK lemme see what I can do.

 

[Ungoliant]

Oh my! OK lemme see what I can do.

I didn't get the exuviae from my girl for several days -- possibly a week -- and it was still in a usable state. So there is hope!

 

[Phases]

Reckon this is salvageable?

 

[Ungoliant]

Reckon this is salvageable?

Yes: that is how intact exuviae typically look. The area you need is the twisted wad between the carapace and sternum. Cut that part away from the rest of the exuviae and follow the steps above.

 

[Phases]

Ok. Wish me luck!

 

[Ungoliant]

Ok. Wish me luck!

You may find this video by @z32upgrader helpful: that is where I got the helpful tips on adding a drop of dish liquid and cutting away the parts you don't need.

 

[cold blood]

I don't know if Psalmopoeus cambridgei can be reliably sexed by color. ::summons @cold blood::

My 3" Psalmopoeus cambridgei (confirmed female by molt) looks more brown/orange than green.


If you can extract the exuviae without hurting the tarantula, that would be the best way to sex it.

My 3" female's exuviae:


Ventral shot of the same tarantula (with exuviae shown bottom-left):

no, thats just juvie coloration.

 

[Phases]

Mutilated too much or usable?

 

[AmberDawnDays]

I only just learned how to open up the exuviae. It's tricky business. I will use the dishsoap technique next time. I always manage to tear mine, so here's to hoping your tips make it easier. @Ungoliant

 

[Ungoliant]

Mutilated too much or usable?

Usable, but I'm having trouble seeing the right details in the area between the first pair of book lungs (the ones closer to the head). See if you can absorb a bit of the water so that there are fewer reflections in the photo.

It can also help to backlight the exuviae if the anatomy is not clear.

I only just learned how to open up the exuviae. It's tricky business. I will use the dishsoap technique next time. I always manage to tear mine, so here's to hoping your tips make it easier.

It definitely helps. I had done all of my previous molts with no dish soap in the water and leaving the abdomen attached to the rest of the exuviae, and it was a constant struggle to get the abdomen to open -- and stay open. This often resulted in tears.

With the necessary piece separated and rehydrated, I can usually open the abdomen just by pumping a small amount of water over the molt with a tiny syringe.

 

[CjayM23]

Hi guys newbie here. Please i need help on gendering my P. Cambridgei. The camera is sucks but there is orange on the legs so im guessing that shes a female but not really sure. Thanks

 

[Dementeddoll]

Hmmm, from what I know I don’t think they have color dismorphia when it comes to sexing really. To me as far as for me they kinda look like same so I wouldn’t rely on color to sex unless you’re dealing with something like Chilobrachys or O. Violaceopes