Researchers have discovered a new species of electric blue tarantula in Thailand. The tarantula owes this special color to the unique structure of its hair.
A group of Thai researchers found the spider in a mangrove forest during an expedition in Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand. There they conducted research on tarantula diversity and distribution.
The tarantula has a name Chilobrachis natalancharum Owns. The animal has “a color reminiscent of electric blue sparks,” says researcher Naren Chomphovuang. CNN.
Blue is one of the rarest colors found in nature, although it is most common in tarantulas. This newly discovered spider’s color is not due to pigmentation, but rather to its unique hair structure. This hair structure manipulates light, giving the tarantula this stunning blue color.
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Climb trees to attract spider
The newly discovered tarantula lives in tree cavities, making it difficult to catch. The researchers had to climb trees to lure the spider out. “During our expedition, we walked in the evening and at night at low tide and were only able to collect two,” says Chomphovoang.
According to the researchers, the tarantula had previously been spotted at a commercial tarantula market. Nothing was known at the time about its characteristics or where the animal came from.
Due to the decline of mangrove forests, which is largely due to deforestation, the electric blue tarantula is one of the rarest tarantulas in the world, according to Chomphovuang.
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