Spiders, especially tarantulas, often evoke fear and fascination. This fear is so widespread that it influenced J.R.R. Tolkien’s creation of the legendary spider character Shelob in The Lord of the Rings. Known for their eerie webs and impressive sizes, spiders are integral to their ecosystems and possess remarkable adaptive traits.
A research team from the University of Idaho and Millsaps College has unveiled a groundbreaking discovery in a recent ZooKeys publication. They have identified a previously unknown tarantula species in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona. Named Aphonopelma jacobii in honor of their colleague Michael Jacobi, this tarantula is notable for its ability to thrive at high elevations and endure harsh winter conditions.
P. jacobii, a small black and gray tarantula adorned with vivid red hairs on its abdomen, belongs to the genus Aphonopelma, which is renowned for its diverse range of tarantula species. The Chiricahua Mountains, characterized by their high-altitude forests and separated by deserts and grasslands, create isolated “sky islands.” These unique ecosystems have fostered the evolution of species like A. jacobii.
However, the future of this newly discovered tarantula is precarious. The primary threat is climate change, which is expected to degrade forest conditions due to rising temperatures. Additionally, increased forest fires and the growing interest from collectors seeking rare species pose significant risks. The survival of A. jacobii and its habitat is now in serious jeopardy, despite its recent discovery.