In an exciting development for arachnid enthusiasts, researchers have identified a new tarantula species, Aphonopelma jacobii, in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona. This distinctive species features a striking black and gray coloration with vivid red hairs on its abdomen. The discovery was detailed in a recent publication in the journal ZooKeys.
The research team from the University of Idaho made the surprising find in what they described as “our own backyard.” Chris Hamilton, an assistant professor and co-author of the study, expressed amazement at discovering such a remarkable species so close to home.
“It’s usually the case that new species are found in far-flung, remote locations,” Hamilton remarked. “Yet here we have a new tarantula species right in our own backyard, though in relatively inaccessible parts of it.”
The tarantula was discovered in the high-altitude forests of the Chiricahua Mountains, part of the Madrean “Sky Islands” (MSI) region. These forested mountain ranges, stretching between the Colorado Plateau, the Rocky Mountains in the southwestern U.S., and the Sierra Madre Occidental in northwestern Mexico, are known for their ecological isolation due to the surrounding lowland grasslands and deserts.
The researchers highlighted that the Chiricahua Mountains, along with other ranges in the Madrean Archipelago, are crucial for their rich biodiversity. “The isolation of these mountains has led to the evolution of many unique species, making them biodiversity hotspots,” the study notes.
Previously, it was believed that each MSI range harbored only one tarantula species. The discovery of Aphonopelma jacobii challenges this notion, as the Chiricahua Mountains were already known to host another tarantula species, A. chiricahua.
“This find is particularly significant as it represents the first documented case of two distinct tarantula species coexisting within a single MSI range,” the researchers stated. “It underscores the high tarantula diversity in this threatened region.”
However, the newly discovered tarantula species faces threats from climate change. Scientists are concerned that shifts in temperature and precipitation could reduce the extent of forest cover in the MSI region, potentially leading to the extinction of species specialized to these environments.
This discovery not only enhances our understanding of tarantula diversity but also underscores the urgent need to protect these unique ecosystems in the face of climate change.