The Spinnerette Issue 13: Typhochlaena seladonia

THE SPINNERETTE ISSUE 13 TYPHOCH LAEN A ADVICE, CARE TIPS, SELADO NIA INTERVIEWS BRAZILIAN JEWEL 1

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hey spider fans! HAPPY NEW YEAR, spiderlings! We made it through 2020 (and it was a LONG year)! And while it looks like 2021 is starting off a little rocky, I have a lot of hope for the new year and that things will improve. I hope you, your loved ones, and your tarantulas are safe and healthy! My tarantulas have certainly helped me through the pandemic whenever I've felt scared and anxious (I even made a video about this lol). Anyway, this magazine will focus on the beautiful Typhochlaena seladonia. This is a STUNNING tarantula and one that I'm very excited to feature for this issue. I hope you enjoy it! Big thank you to the Tarantula Heaven community for contributing stories/photos and The Tarantula Collective for sponsoring this issue! If you are interested in submitting feedback, being a part of future issues, or contacting me for advertising, you can do so at [email protected]! Spider hugs, Patricia, Spidey + Blinky (my tarantula babies) Tarantulaheaven.com / Tarantula Tuesday Newsletter FOLLOW MY TARANTULA STUFF! Questions / Comments? Feel free to email me at [email protected] The cover image is credited to: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa Copyright © 2021 Patricia Colli

This issue is sponsored by... TheTarantulaCollective.com get caught in the web Check out our website for merchandise and information. We have a new podcast, too! THE TARANTULA COLLECTIVE: CHECK OUT TOP 10 EASY LOW MAINTENANCE PET TARANTULAS THE NEW PODCAST!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 08 Typhochlaena Seladonia, Brazilian Jewel Tarantula By Michael Fantus 14 18 Typhochlaena Seladonia Care Tips By Patricia Colli Raising My First T. Seladonia Sling An interview with Hollie (Princess Sophie Pink) 26 Fulfilling My Goal Tarantula - T. Seladonia 32 34 An interview with Simone (@Invert.introvert) 46 The Brazilian Jewel Spider An illustration by Gao Jeff Tarantula Community A collection of submissions from the Tarantula Heaven community References A collection of citations

TYPHOCHLAENA SELADONIA, BRAZILIAN JEWEL TARANTULA, By Michael Fantus Typhochlaena seladonia, (C. L. Koch, 1841) the Brazilian Jewel Tarantula, resurfaced recently in the tarantula trade. A photogenic species to say the least and short The total distribution includes 213 plant and animal in supply, they fetch $600 a piece. Fortunately for species to the tree of life, providing deeper insight me, the coronavirus pandemic has limited if not into the rich biodiversity of our planet and helping to halted imports of all foreign livestock and I have inform global conservation strategies. not been able to get one. The new species include 101 ants, 22 crickets, 15 T. seladonia has another nickname, “Disco fishes, 11 geckos, 11 sea slugs, 11 flowering plants, spider” and that alone compelled me to want eight beetles, eight fossil echinoderms, seven one as an accessory to take to the club. If God is spiders, five snakes, two skinks, two aphids, two good, this pandemic will be over soon. eels, one moss, one frog, one fossil amphibian, one seahorse, one fossil scallop, one sea biscuit, one New Species Discoveries in 2020 fossil crinoid (or sea lily), and one coral, (Science Believe it or not, we are still searching for and Daily, 2020). finding new and amazing types of life on the planet earth. So far, only one new species of tarantula was discovered and described, Bistriopelma fabianae “Many would probably say that 2020 was from Peru, (Tarantupedia, 2020). a complete blowout — politically, socially, experientially, and unfortunately for many, health- Unfortunately, 7 animal species were declared wise. But in the world of science, it was an overall extinct in 2019, we’ll report on 2020 as soon fantastic year. Hundreds of new species were as scientists finish their analyses. They include discovered in 2020.” (Rosenberg, 2020). a species of rhino, a cheetah, the magnificent Chinese paddlefish, a species of macaw, and a Among the new lifeforms found was a most turtle, (India Today, n.d.) None of the extinctions as disgusting new species of orchid, check it out. far as we know were tarantulas. 8

Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa9

Typhochlaena seladonia, cont'd In addition to prospecting for the purposes of name, a species is invisible to science and assessing the condition of known species and the possibilities of researching its ecology, discovery of novel ones, data is collected on applications and threats, and conserving it, are documented species for the purposes of updating greatly reduced, (Cheek, 2020). nomenclature to ensure consistency with modern standards and techniques. This has resulted Description and Taxonomy of The Brazilian in several “new” species especially within the Jewel Tarantula: Avicularia, within which the Brazilian Jewel was Etymology: The specific name is derived once included and then redescribed again as a from the Brazilian indigenous Tupi language, member of the Typhochlaena, (WTC, 2020). meaning “child”. It refers to the local children that found the type specimens high in a tree In addition to description or changes to the in Areia, State of Paraíba, Brazil, during an description, observations about habits and arachnological expedition, (Tarantupedia n.d.). habitat which are considered keys to identifying a species are often justifications for new scientific As I mentioned the genus and species papers and can affect nomenclature. were revised over time, and this scientific paper explains one of the cases for revision, The Importance of Naming (Almeida-Silva, L. M., 2008), where the species Scientific discovery, including naming new is Iridopelma seladonium: taxa, is important because without a scientific Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons The original description of this species was An immature of I. seladonium was observed based on a single female and no illustrations constructing a hinged retreat with silk and little of reproductive organs were presented. After pieces of bark, a behavior not previously seen we collected several specimens identified for other Aviculariinae. Two courtship events as I. seladonium, we decided to redescribe were observed and photographed, leg tapping this species and discovered that the male, and palpal drumming of the male on female's previously described as belonging to this body and dorsum-ventral movements of the species, was misidentified by MELLO LEITÃO female's abdomen while the male was inserting (1923). the embolus were documented to Aviculariinae for the first time. The courtships and mating lasted Thus, in this paper the male of I. seladonium is almost two minutes. newly described and the reproductive organs of male and female are described and illustrated in This is an excellent example of how gross analysis of detail. Notes on the behavior and natural history animal behavior hints at speciation. of I. seladonium are presented based on the observation of live specimens in the field and in captivity.

Typhochlaena seladonia, cont'd The most current taxonomy redescribed Typhochlaena seladonia Taxonomy as of most the species as one of four in genus recent description: Typhochlaena: Domain: Eukaryota Typhochlaena is a genus of small-bodied Regnum: Animalia tarantulas with an arboreal trapdoor lifestyle. Subregnum: Eumetazoa All the species except for T. seladonia were first Cladus: Bilateria described by Rogério Bertani in 2012. Superphylum: Protostomia Cladus: Ecdysozoa Dates and sources of all descriptions and Phylum: Arthropoda revisions include: Cladus: Arachnomorpha Subphylum: Chelicerata Mygale seladonia C. L. Koch, 1841a: 39, f. 716 (Df). Classis: Arachnida Typhochlaena seladonia C. L. Koch, 1850: 75. Ordo: Araneae Avicularia seladonia Simon, 1892a: 171 (in part). Subordo: Mygalomorphae Typhochlaena seladonia Mello-Leitão, 1923a: 335, f. 191- Familia: Theraphosidae 193 (m, misidentified per Almeida-Silva et al., 2008: 731). Subfamilia: Aviculariinae Iridopelma seladonia Smith, 1993b: 15 (Tmf from Genus: Typhochlaena Avicularia). Species: Typhochlaena seladonia (C. L. Koch, 1841) Iridopelma seladonium Almeida-Silva et al., 2008: 729, f. 1-19 (f, Dm). Endangered Species Status Typhochlaena seladonia Bertani, 2012: 17, f. 1-5, 16-23 The Brazilian Jewel Tarantula is red listed by the (mf). IUCN and considered seriously threatened due to Typhochlaena seladonia Andre & Hüsser, 2016: 4, f. 1, 14a- complications associated with climate change and c, 17-18, 23, 27, 29a-b (f). habitat loss. Typhochlaena seladonia Andre & Hüsser, 2018: 6, f. 1, 3a, 19, 20b-d (mf habitus). Typhochlaena seladonia Andre, 2020: 38, f. 16 (f habitus). ABOUT MICHAEL Michael Fantus’ day job is marketing in a Washington DC Association. His hobbies include fiction writing, music composition, French horn playing, redwood bonsai, and tarantulizing. He is the author of a novel, the Rage of Ganymede and the Lightning Manifesto.  (Never ask a girl her age, and I have a partner named Stefen Styrsky who works in legal services, is a published fiction and technical writer, as well as a film critic. He avoids the tarantulas). Flip to the back to see references for this article! Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa

Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa

T y p h o cshellaadenoania CARE TIPS BASIC INFO Common name: Brazilian Jewel Scientific name: Typhochlaena Experience level: Intermediate, Tarantula seladonia this tarantula is said to be sensitive and hard to raise in captivity. Type: New World, Arboreal, Dwarf, Origin: Bahia and Sergipe, Brazil Trapdoor Life span: This is currently Size: Females may reach 2.5” unknown as we are still learning Growth rate: Medium-Fast DLS, Males 1.75\" DLS much about the T. seladonia. APPEARANCE Typhochlaena seladonia is likely considered the most beautiful (and cutest) species of tarantula. Due to its tiny size, this dwarf tarantula is made more visible only due to its beautiful jewel-like abdomen which shows a gradient of bright colors with black stripes. Its legs are also extremely colorful - this spider is beautiful from every angle. BEHAVIOR Attitude: The T. seladonia is considered docile Defensive behavior: T. seladonia are and curious however it can be very quick, jumpy considered to be a docile species and will likely and flighty in its movements. This tarantula choose to flee if it feels threatened. tends to be reclusive and spends a lot of time hiding. Handling: Always use caution when handling any tarantula. Due to its tiny size, handling this Bite danger: Due to the T. seladonia's small tarantula may not pose a great threat to humans size, bite danger is considered to be rare and however they can easily be lost or hurt. low. DIET + NUTRITION T. seladonia are good eaters! They can eat fruit flies, small crickets, cockroaches and other insects. 14

THE TARANTULA COLLECTIVE: IS TYPHOCHLAENA SELADONIA AN ILLEGAL TARANTULA SPECIES? HOUSING Substrate: 5cm to 10cm of Enclosure: T. seladonia need a Temperature: T. seladonia substrate is good for this tarantula. small arboreal enclosure to mimic tarantulas will do just fine at room Lichen and other debris can be their natural inclination to create a temperature. included to assist the tarantula in trapdoor on trees. making its trapdoor. Ventilation: Cross ventilation is Humidity: 75-85% important for this tarantula. Decor: This tarantula will appreciate pieces of cork, bark, Water: A water dish is not Collection notes: T. seladonia sticks, and fake plants so they necessary for this species however is a species you won't see too can climb. They will also need you should mist the enclosure often - they will often create their materials such as lichen and moss 2x per week. Do not mist the trapdoors and hide in there! We that they can construct a trapdoor substrate too much. are still learning much about how with. to care for this tarantula. FUN FACTS (Well, maybe not so fun!) In the United States, right now T. seladonia are considered illegal due to import restrictions under the Lacey Act of 1900. And under usual circumstances outside this law, they are pretty pricey and can go for hundreds of dollars. They are the most rare tarantula in the hobby. 15

T. seladonias are RARE. They're hard to get your hands on, and their egg sacs only produce between 20-30 eggs!

Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa

RAISING MY FIRST T. SELADONIA SLING An interview with Hollie (Princess Sophie Pink) Hollie, also known as Princess Sophie Pink, was lucky enough to get a T. seladonia sling as a gift. Here, she shares her experience with this gorgeous spider! What is your experience with the T. I make sure it always has droplets of water seladonia tarantula? to drink from but not too much. I made sure I I have only kept 1, it is such such a tiny provided lichen and a nice piece of cork bark sling but so beautiful in colour! I haven't yet to help it with making its trap door. I use coco seen it moult and it still hasn't made a trap fibre substrate with a little bit of moss, too. door yet. How did you obtain this tarantula? How does this tarantula compare with the My mum got me it from Hadleigh at others in your collection? Fangtastic Tarantulas. I was so so excited I can never see it. It is always hidden and to get it because I had always wanted one. never comes out. But it must come out as How do you care for them? the fruit flies go missing. I put in 3 fruit flies on a Saturday and they are always gone by the next weekend. P18hoto Credit: Rachel Greenhalgh

Photo Credit: Rachel Greenhalgh ]What is your favorite thing about this What's the hardest thing about keeping spider? this tarantula? I just want to make sure it is happy. Because I absolutely love the colouration it didn't yet build a trapdoor. Also they are of it. When I show pictures of my very hard to keep as slings. I have been tarantulas to people, they always told that they are known to just die for no say it doesn't even look real. I apparent reason. Even if everything seems feel good about having a spider OK with the enclosure. I'm very scared for that people think is amazing like that to happen :( ]that. 19

Photo Credit: Rachel Greenhalgh PRINCESS SOPHIE PINK: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TARANTULA!!! - TYPHOCHLAENA SELADONIA 20

Photo Credit: Rachel Greenhalg2h1

Photo Credit: Rachel Greenhalgh

Where does this tarantula rank in your Raising my first T. seladonia sling cont’d collection? Definitely ranks high up! Because it is just so ABOUT HOLLIE beautiful. It still doesn't beat my Brachypelma To see more from Hollie, you can check out her YouTube hamorii - Hairyett though! channel, Princess Sophie Pink or follow her Facebook page! Hollie has been on several radio and television interviews for her tarantula expertise lately! Check out one of her most recent interviews below! Photo Credit: Rachel Greenhalgh PRINCESS SOPHIE PINK: HOW TV APPEARANCE

The T. seladonia is THE ONLY tarantula that is able to make a trapdoor inside trees! They are amazing at camouflaging their trapdoors so you (or predators) can't find them. They can hide up to 3-4 meters high in a tree! BIRDSPIDERSCH: MOST COLOURFUL PET TARANTULA - TYPHOCHLAENA SELADONIA

Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa

FULFILLING MY GOAL TARANTULA - T. SELADONIA An interview with Simone / @Invert.introvert Simone, who goes by @Invert.introvert on Instagram, is a passionate tarantula owner who also keeps a wide range of other inverts. Simone has 20 tarantulas, one of which is the beloved T. seladonia. Tell us about yourself! in the hobby as well and it is something we have I am a university student studying bonded over. criminology and sociology. I'm quite a What does your tarantula collection look like laid back person so I enjoy reading and at this moment? watching TV. My main hobby is learning At the moment I have 20 tarantulas. 2x T. about animals and looking after the ones I Albopilosum, N. Incei Olive, N. Incei Gold, have. C. Cyaneopubescens, B. Hamorii, 2x H. Sp. How did your love of spiders/tarantulas Columbia, A. Avicularia, C. Elegans, C. Sp. begin? Electric blue, P. Regalis, P. Metallica, 2x D. I had always been interested in tarantulas Diamantinensis, P. Murinus, A. Geniculata, T. and one day I was at my friend's house Seladonia, G. Iheringi and H. Villosella. As well and we started watching YouTube videos as 2 jumping spiders, 6 praying mantises, 3 on tarantulas. We both went to a pet shop scorpions and 1 snake. the next day and got our first ones. Then What is your experience with the it spiraled from there! I was fascinated by Typhochlaena seladonia? how many different kinds there were and I only have a sling T. Seladonia and she is very how beautiful they were and how I am courageous. Usually my slings are skittish but always learning something new. Then once she wanders out onto my hand all the time. I I began keeping them, I was fascinated don't usually hold my ts but she doesn't give me by their personalities and seeing changes a choice :) I definitely have a soft spot for her. in their behaviour when I made their environments better. My mum also ended up loving my tarantulas once I got mine and now she is 26

Photo credit: Simone / IG: @Invert.introvert

Fulfilling my goal tarantula, cont'd How did you obtain this tarantula? Do you have experience with breeding/ I bought her from the website Creatures of raising this spider? The North. She was actually my birthday I have experience raising slings but she is my present to myself! She is expensive for a first one of this breed. sling but I fell in love with the breed as soon How does this tarantula compare with the as I saw it. others in your collection? How do you care for them? What does As I said earlier she doesn't eat as often as the their enclosure look like? rest and she's the only one that walks straight She is in a small vial with a little bit of onto my hand. substrate but mostly a big bit of cork What is your favorite thing about this bark. I pipette a small bit of water in the spider? substrate every now and then to provide some moisture and humidity and a couple drops on her web. I feed her fruit flies. She doesn't eat as often as my other slings do. Around every 5 days she will eat. Photo credit: Simone / IG: @Invert.introvert

Photo credit: Simone / IG: @Invert.introvert

Fulfilling my goal tarantula, cont'd ]]My favourite thing is how and make sure you look at multiple sources. But also you learn by experience. beautiful she is and I'm really Where does this tarantula rank in your looking forward to watching collection? her build her trap door when I've never actually ranked my ts! I love them she's older. I love that she's so all for different reasons. Although she was the friendly :) it's the first time I've most expensive and the one I wanted for the had a sling want to be held. longest. What's the hardest thing about keeping What is your favorite/goal tarantula? this tarantula? She was my goal tarantula. Because she She's not really hard to keep but she's only at was so expensive I wanted to have plenty of sling stage so I will be learning as we go. experience raising slings before I got her. What's the most helpful tip you can give to ABOUT SIMONE tarantula owners who want this tarantula? Simone is an animal lover and criminology/ I think the best tip I would give, and this goes sociology student. You can find more from for any tarantula, is just do plenty of research Simone on Instagram @Invert.introvert! Photo credit: Simone / IG: @Invert.introvert

Photo credit: Simone / IG: @Invert.introvert

THE BRAZILIAN JEWEL SPIDER ] An illustration by Gao Jeff ]I’ve always loved ABOUT GAO To follow Gao and see more of his work, check smaller species, they out his Instagram @Yichenerd. You can check are just so tiny, cute out or purchase some of his art by visiting his and feels different. store here! And since with my art style I like to focus on the colors I had a lot of fun while drawing this tarantula. Illustration by Gao Jeff

Illustration by Gao Jeff GAO DOES COMMISSIONS! MESSAGE HIM THROUGH INSTAGRAM AT @YICHENERD TO SEE MORE OF HIS WORK AND PLACE AN ORDER!

tarantula COMM 34

a Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativa MUNITY 35

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated 3P6hoto credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomate3d7

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated

Photo credit: Jonathan Novio / IG: @Envenomated

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WEAR YOUR LOVE FOR TS On YOUR SLEEVE! SEE NEW TARANTULA MERCH! ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT MAGAZINE! 44

learn more about tarantulas! 200+ PAGE TARANTULA LEARN EBOOK THAT COVERS TONS MORE OF INFO ON TARANTULA CARE HERE Do you sell tarantulas, feeders, enclosures and other tarantula items? Email [email protected] if you’re interested in purchasing ad space! 45

REFERENCES Typhochlaena seladonia, Brazilian JEWEL Tarantula, AKA Disco Spider Author: Michael Fantus Academy scientists describe 213 species in 2020. (n.d.). ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www. sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201209170355.htm Almeida-Silva, L. M. (2008, December). Redescription and notes on the natural history of the arboreal tarantula Iridopelma seladonium (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Aviculariinae). Scielo.Br. https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_ arttext&pid=S0101-81752008000400019 Bern, N. H. M. (2020, January 22). NMBE - World Spider Catalog. NMBE World Spider Catalog. https://wsc.nmbe.ch/ species/37979 Category:Typhochlaena seladonia - Wikipedia Commons. (n.d.). Wikipedia Commons. Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Typhochlaena_seladonia Cheek, M. (2020, September 1). New scientific discoveries: Plants and fungi. New Phytologist Foundation. https://nph. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ppp3.10148 Conservation, G. W. (2019, August 23). Newly Discovered Blue Tarantula A Beacon For Invertebrate Conservation. Global Wildlife Conservation. https://www.globalwildlife.org/blog/newly-discovered-blue-tarantula/ Description of the male of the Critically Endangered tarantula Typhochlaena curumim Bertani, 2012 (Araneae, Theraphosidae), with comments on tarantula trade and conservation. (2020). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7289899/#:%7E:text=Koch%2C%201850%20was%20erected%20170,Fukushima%20 %26%20Bertani%2C%202017). Desk, I. T. W. (2020, March 3). World Wildlife Day 2020: 7 animals that went extinct in 2019. India Today. https://www. indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/world-wildlife-day-2020-here-are-7-significant-wildlife-species-that- went-extinct-in-2019-1652013-2020-03-03 Magdiel Quispe Colca, O., & Kaderka, R. (2020). Bistriopelma fabianae, a new species of tarantula (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) in a Queñua forest from southern Peru. Tarantupedia. https://www.tarantupedia.com/ bibliography/bistriopelma-fabianae-a-new-species-of-tarantula-araneae-theraphosidae-theraphosinae-in-a-quenua-forest- from-southern-peru Rosenberg, L. (2020, December 14). In Terms of Biodiversity, 2020 Was a Success — These New Species Were Discovered! Green Matters. https://www.greenmatters.com/p/new-species-2020 Staff, R. (2020, December 18). “World’s ugliest orchid” among new species named in 2020. U.S. https://www.reuters.com/ article/madagascar-orchid/worlds-ugliest-orchid-among-new-species-named-in-2020-idUSKBN28R1UJ 46

Photo credit: Randi Bechyne / IG: @peace.love.sativ4a7

Til next time! I hope this magazine has given you some peace and happiness during this crazy time in our world. My tarantulas always give me solace when it feels like things are out of control, and I'm sure it's the same for you as well - or you wouldn't be reading this! Thank you for supporting The Spinnerette and its 13th issue! A big thank you to Richard Stewart and The Tarantula Collective for continuing to support and sponsor this magazine (and providing the tarantula hobby with amazing content and information!) If you have any feedback about how this magazine could be improved or things you’d like to see this magazine cover, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. You can also email me if you’d like to submit something to the magazine or pitch an idea for a future issue! As always, you can find me on Facebook in my tarantula group, or subscribe to my Patreon to see more behind the scenes content about this magazine and my life with my tarantulas. 48