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Member of:
Czech arachnological Society
CODEX
Since 05.07.2008
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INTRODUCTION
The
focus of this web site are the theraphosid spiders of the American
continent and the Caribbean. The tarantulas of the Theraphosidae
family are among the oldest inhabitants of the animal kingdom. Almost
900 species have been described to date and many species are still
awaiting discovery.
In
the last decades, the classification of the Theraphosidae
family has seen many changes concerning the acceptance and application
of new taxonomic features, especially the
shape
of spermatheca in females,
the shape and structures of male palpal bulb and the type of urticating
hairs. These changes bring about the synomization of genera and species and also needed revisions and
comparative analysis. Regarding the systematic classification,
specialists often discuss the justification or the lack of it in case of
some distinguishing features, i.e. whether they are or they are not
distinctive and significant for the taxon in question. Present
specialists unfortunately inherited incomplete descriptions of species
included in the system of taxonomy conforming to the time in which the
system was created. We often find descriptions of species based only on
an individual of one gender, being immature or with no listed habitation.
The
main goal for this site is to disseminate useful information and provide
a place for communication exchange for amateur arachnologists and arachnological societies world-wide
which are interested in the study of theraphosid spiders found in the
Americas. Apart
from articles, discussions and commentaries, the website will offer
useful hyperlinks for the web pages of foreign institutions, societies
and individuals focusing on the study of theraphosids, as well as updated
taxonomical classification to the level of subfamilies including a brief
commentary on the changes which have occurred in the taxonomic system.
With time, the web site should contain a key for classification of
American theraphosid spiders into genera. The web pages also includes
photo archives. The
photos are published only with the permission from their owners. Although the administrator will keep up with taxonomic
changes, scientific names change constantly and may not always be
immediately reflected on this website.
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Theraphosidae
Aviculariinae
Ischnocolinae
Psalmopoeinae
Schismatothelinae
Theraphosinae
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