Chaetopelma persianum
Chaetopelma persianum, the Persian gold tarantula, is a species of tarantula native to northwestern Iran.[2] First described in 2023, the species is the first of its genus to be recorded in Iran.[1]
| Persian gold tarantula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Chaetopelma |
| Species: | C. persianum |
| Binomial name | |
| Chaetopelma persianum Zamani & West, 2023[1] | |
Distribution
Chaetopelma persianum has been found at high altitudes in the Zagros Mountains, a mountain range in western Iran.[1][3] A photograph of a male spider from near Sulaymaniyah (Iraq) likely represents this species, but this requires further confirmation.[1]
Description
As of August 2023, measurements have only been recorded for females and are currently unknown for males.[1] Female Chaetopelma persianum have a leg span that measure about 9 centimeters.[4]
C. persianum are generally brown in coloration, with the carapace and chelicerae being golden.[1] The species is known to be burrowers.
References
- Zamani, Alireza & West, Rick C. (2023-08-08). "A new species of Chaetopelma Ausserer, 1871 (Araneae, Theraphosidae) from Iran". ZooKeys. 1174: 75–84. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1174.109135.
- "Meet The Fancy New Persian Gold Tarantula, With Locks Of Golden Hair". IFLScience. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- "Eight-eyed critter with 'woolly, golden hairs' found burrowing in Iran. See new species". Yahoo News. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
- Johnson, Chelsea (2023-08-09). "The Persian Gold Tarantula: A Newly Discovered Arachnid from Iran". Fagen Wasanni Technologies. Retrieved 2023-08-11.