A duo of researchers from South Africa has discovered a remarkable new species of tarantula living in central Angola.
Ceratogyrus attonitifer. Image credit: Ian Enelbrecht.
The newfound species belongs to the genus Ceratogyrus (horned baboon spiders).
Named Ceratogyrus attonitifer, it possesses a ‘horn’ — a peculiar horn-like protuberance sticking out of its back.
This spider was discovered as part of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project by Dr. John Midgley from Rhodes University and KwaZulu-Natal Museum and Dr. Ian Engelbrecht of the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the University of Pretoria.
“Ceratogyrus attonitifer is remarkable,” the scientists said.
“No other spider in the world possesses a similar foveal protuberance. Its function in Ceratogyrus is uncertain.”
Ceratogyrus attonitifer has a soft and elongated horn-like protuberance on its back. Image credit: Ian Enelbrecht.
The team collected several female specimens of Ceratogyrus attonitifer from the miombo forests of central Angola.
To find them, the researchers would normally spend the day locating burrows, often hidden among grass tufts, but sometimes found in open sand, and excavate specimens during the night.
The indigenous people in the region provided additional information about the biology and lifestyle of the baboon spider.
“This species is known as ‘Chandachuly’ in the Luchazi language,” the scientists said.
“It preys mainly on insects. The females enlarge existing burrows rather than digging their own burrows.”
“The venom is not considered to be dangerous, though bites may result in infections which can be fatal due to poor medical access.”
The discovery is reported in the journal African Invertebrates.
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J.M. Midgley & I. Engelbrecht. 2019. New collection records for Theraphosidae (Araneae, Mygalomorphae) in Angola, with the description of a remarkable new species of Ceratogyrus. African Invertebrates 60 (1): 1-13; doi: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.60.32141
