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| synonyms = *''Scurria fasciata'' <small>Ausserer, 1871 (misidentified)</small>
| synonyms =
*''Poecilotheria uniformis'' <small>Strand, 1913</small>
*''Poecilotheria bara'' <small>Chamberlin, 1917</small>
*''Poecilotheria subfusca'' <small>Kirk, 1996</small>
*''Poecilotheria subfusca'' <small>Schmidt, 2003</small>
*''Poecilotheria subfusca'' <small>Gabriel, Gallon & Smith, 2013</small>
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''Poecilotheria subfusca'', or the '''ivory-billed ornamental''' or '''montane tiger spider''', is an arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to [[Sri Lanka]]. It is the smallest tiger spider recorded from Sri Lanka.
''Poecilotheria subfusca'', or the '''ivory-billed ornamental''' or '''montane tiger spider''', is an arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to [[Sri Lanka]]. It is the smallest tiger spider recorded from Sri Lanka. The lowland form similar to this species is sometimes considered to be a morph, but in others as a separate species - ''[[Poecilotheria bara]]''.


==Size==
==Size==

Revision as of 12:48, 28 February 2016

Ivory-billed ornamental tarantula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Suborder:
Family:
Subfamily:
Genus:
Species:
P. subfusca
Binomial name
Poecilotheria subfusca
Pocock, 1895
Synonyms
  • Scurria fasciata Ausserer, 1871 (misidentified)
  • Poecilotheria uniformis Strand, 1913
  • Poecilotheria bara Chamberlin, 1917
  • Poecilotheria subfusca Kirk, 1996
  • Poecilotheria subfusca Schmidt, 2003
  • Poecilotheria subfusca Gabriel, Gallon & Smith, 2013

Poecilotheria subfusca, or the ivory-billed ornamental or montane tiger spider, is an arboreal tarantula. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is the smallest tiger spider recorded from Sri Lanka. The lowland form similar to this species is sometimes considered to be a morph, but in others as a separate species - Poecilotheria bara.

Size

Female is much larger and 4-5cm from head-to-body length. Males are 4cm.

Identification

The species can identified from other tiger spiders by prominent white stardust pattern around fovea on dorsal surface and by totally black ventral surface.[1]

Female

Dorsally, there is a light patch behind ocular tubercle and white stardust patter around fovea. Carapace is pale. Opisthosoma is dark greyish brown colored with pale chevrons. The light foliate median band goes down to end of opisthosoma. Chelicerae are pale colored.[1]

All four pairs of legs are identically marked. Femur is black colored with distal cream band. Patella is creamy. There are two parallel lines of oblong yellowish spots prominent against black colored tibia.

Ventrally, all four leg pairs are identical, with entirely black surface.

Male

Dorsally, brown colored and markings are less distinct. Opisthosoma has a dark spot on median band. Ventrally, all four pairs of legs are identical to female.[1]

Ecology

The Montane tiger spider inhabits montane regions of Sri Lanka and found within tree holes, under rocks, and human dwellings. When disturbed, it is very nervous and jumpy, and no hesitation to bite.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Nanayakkara, Ranil P. (2014). Tiger Spiders Poecilotheria of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environmental & Renewable Energy. p. 167. ISBN 978-955-0033-58-4.