Theraphosids (tarantulas) of the World. Keeping and breeding in captivity
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Acanthoscurria

English

Genus Acanthoscurria Ausserer, 1871

Genus status. Synonymized genus Trasyphoberus Simon, 1903; by R. Raven in 1985.

Old name: Mygale Koch, 1842; Scurria Koch, 1842; Acanthopalpus Ausserer, 1871; Callyntropus Ausserer, 1875.

Type species - Acanthoscurria geniculata (C. L. Koch, 1841).

Representatives of genus Acanthoscurria differs from all other genuses of subfamily Theraphosinae by presence of subsferic form of receptacula semini of spermathecae of most species in combination with following features: 1) there`re several bunches of stridulating bristles on the lateral surface of palpal trochanter; 2) male with only one tibial spure; 3) there`re denominated nodule on the lateral surface of palpal tibia; 4) presence of type I urticating hairs.

This genus in present time is represented by 38 mainly large terrestrial species of tarantulas, inhabiting rainforests and pampases of South America.

Dwell in enough deep burrows, which, as a rule, dig by themselves.

For some species a maternal care by female tarantula have noted (Bucherl, 1952).

The average size of body is about 6-8 ёm, and can reach 23 ёm in legspan.

Not aggressive in general but rather nervious spiders. Regularly scratching urticating hairs, being disturbing. On available information a bite of species of the genus Acanthoscurria does not cause any harm for human.

Longlived tarantulas (15 years for species Acanthoscurria sternalis) has known. Also the maturation period in nature on available literary data known from 2 to 6 years at different species (Galiano (1984, 1992).

Keeping conditions. Very popular and unpretentious tarantulas. The majority of species can be kept in similar conditions under enough high humidity (70-85%) and temperature about 27-29Аб.

Most of species of this genus are very beautiful and desired object for collectors and amateurs. The most popular and widespread species in hobby all over the world, actively bred within last years - Acanthoscurria geniculata.

The majority of species of this genus can be recommended to keep for beginners.

Distribution. All representatives of Acanthoscurria inhabiting mainland areas of South America (Brazil). The only one species known from Antilles Islands.
 

Species

Common name

Areal

Photo

Biology

Keeping conditions

acuminata Schmidt & Tesmoingt, 2000

-

Bolivia, Brazil

Photo
© Lionel DABAT

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

antillensis Pocock, 1903

Antilles pinkpatch tarantula

Antilles Island

  

Photo Ray Gabriel © 2004

  Actively digging tarantula, reches 6-6,5 ёm in body length.
Eggsac consists about 250 to 500 eggs

  Needs a thick layer of humid substratum and regular misting.
For the rest keeping requirements for this species the same as for
Acanthoscurria geniculata

atrox
Vellard, 1924

Mato Grosso redrump tarantula

Brazil (Mato Grosso); Bolivia

Photo John Hoke © 2001

  Known by literature data as a species intertwine urticating hairs in web, entwined before molting (Perez-Miles ш F. Costa, 1994)

  Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

aurita
Piza, 1939

-

Brazil (Sao Paulo)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

bollei sp. n.
Schmidt, 2004

-

Maldonado, Minas (Uruguay), Entre Rios (Argentina)

-

This species was described on specimens from the museum collection

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

brocklehursti
F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1896

Giant redrump whiteknee tarantula (Giant black&white banded)

(Para) Brazil

Photo John Hoke © 2001

 Photo Ruben Olsen©

  Looks very similiar to A. geniculata, but much overall daker in coloration and also long red hairs on legs and leg striping not so good expressed

   Keeping requirements for this species the same as for
Acanthoscurria geniculata

chacoana
Brethes, 1909

Bolivian redrump tarantula (Bolivian salmon pink)

Bolivia, Paraguay, (Tukuman) Argentina, Chaco region, Brazil

Photo Dr. Claudio Lipari  © 2002

Photo John Hoke © 2002

  The smaller brazilian race (from Pantanal-Matogrosso region) present itself a former newly described species A. altmanni Schmidt, 2003 earlier misidentified in the trade by the name Nhandu carapoensis, from which differs by absence of a long curly hairs on carapace and presence of tibial spur in males (Nhandu carapoensis do not have tibial spurs). Synonymized in 2004 by R.Bertani et al.
Inhabits humid forested areas.
Reaches 15-19 ёm in legspan.
Actively digging, slightly aggressive species, will burrow if given the opportunity

  Keeping requirements for this species the same as for
Acanthoscurria geniculata

chiracantha   Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Sao Paulo)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

convexa
(C. L. Koch, 1842)

-

Brazil

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

cordubensis Thorell, 1894

-

(Chaco) Paraguay, (Tukuman, Santa Fe, Salta) Argentina

Photo Dr. Claudio Lipari © 2002

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

cunhae
Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Minas Geraes)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

cursor Chamberlin, 1917

-

Brazil (Seara)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

ferina
Simon, 1892

Amazon rusty-brown tarantulas

Peru, Bolivia, Brazil

Photo
© Lionel DABAT

  Inhabits humid biotopes in Amazon River basin

  Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent.

fracta Chamberlin, 1917

Para Mongo zebra

Brazil (Para, Mato Grosso)

Photo
© Rick C. West

  Large, heavy bodied spider, reaches 20 ёm in legspan

  Keeping requirements for this species the same as for
Acanthoscurria geniculata

geniculata
(C. L. Koch, 1841)

Brazilian white knee

Brazil (Amazon River basin)



photo Vlad Elbakjan©

  One of the most beautifully colored tarantula, inhabiting forested areas of north Brazil.
This is big (body - 8-9 ёm, legspan 19-22 ёm) terrestrial species. Not aggressive but rather nervious.
Spiderlings possess good appetite and quickly grow

  Need average level of humidity about 75-80% and temperature 26-28Аб. Need the presence of 6-7 ёm layer of substratum, which must be constantly maintained in moisteneded condition. Also can be provided with retreat

gomesiana
Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Sao Paulo, Ipyranga)

Photo Ruben Olsen©
(фотография возможно не соответствует виду)

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

guaxupe
Piza, 1972

-

Brazil (Sao Paulo)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

insubtilis
Simon, 1892

Bolivian whiteknee tarantula (not official)

Bolivia (Chapare, Sao Mateo)

Photo John Hoke © 2004
Photo
© Rick C. West

  Can be confused with A. musculosa, but larger in size

  Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

juruenicola Mello-Leitao, 1923

Amazon orange-banded tarantula

Brazil (Mato Grosso)

  One of the showing aggression species.
Will burrow if given the opportunity

Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

maga
Simon, 1892

-

South America

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

melanotheria Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Minas Geraes)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

minor
Ausserer, 1871

-

Gayana (Guiana River basin)

Photo
© Rick C. West

  Alongside with species A. simoensi inhabits French Guiana, from which differs with smaller size as well as location of eyes

  Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

musculosa
Simon, 1892

Blackvelvet tarantula

Bolivia (Sao Mateo), Brazil (Mato Grosso)

Photo John Hoke ©

  Maybe the smallest species of the genus.
Near 5-5,5 ёm in body length

  Keeping requirements for this species the same as for
Acanthoscurria geniculata

natalensis Chamberlin, 1917

Natal brown tarantula (not official)

Brazil (Rio Grande de Nor, Natal)

Photo
© Rick C. West

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

parahybana Mello-Leitao, 1926

-

North Brazil (Parahyba)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

paulensis
Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

North Brazil (Parahyba)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

pugnax
Vellard, 1924

-

(Minas Geraes) Brazil

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

rhodothele
Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Mato Grosso)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

rondoniae
Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Mato Grosso)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

simoensi
F. Vol, 2000

-

French Guyana

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

sternalis
Pocock, 1903

Rosepatch tarantula (not official)

(Tatarenda) Bolivia, (Alto) Paraguay, Argentina

Photo Dr. Claudio Lipari © 2002

  Formerly known as A. gigantea.
The biggest representative of the genus.
An aggressive spider, flicks urticating hairs readilly and has been known to spew its feces upon attacker (Garrick Odell)

    Keeping requirements for this species the same as for
Acanthoscurria geniculata

suina
Pocock, 1903

Sulphurbrown tarantula

(San ta Fe to Entre Rios) Argentina, (Rio Grande de Sul) Brazil, (Maldonado) Uruguay

Photo Phil Messenger © 2002

  Photo Ray Gabriel © 2004

  In the southern Uruguay inhabits mountain meadows and stony foothills, where lives in nearly vertical burrows.
Breeding season comes for humid spring period with low atmospheric pressure

    Requires some lower temperature than
Acanthoscurria geniculata

tarda
Pocock, 1903

-

Brazil (Amazon River basin)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

theraphosoides (Doleschall, 1871)

-

Brazil (Marano)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

transamazonica Piza, 1972

-

С№рчшышџ (срёё. №. Рьрчюэъш)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

urens
Vellard, 1924

-

Brazil (Marano)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

violacea
Mello-Leitao, 1923

-

Brazil (Sao Paulo)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

xinguensis Timotheo, 1960

-

Brazil (Xingu)

-

   Any biology data is unknown

   Any information of keeping this species in captivity is absent

 

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