Aphonopelma taxonomy

[Brent H.]

Hi folks -

I posted this on the general boards, but felt this spot would be useful, too.

I have been lurking on these boards for a while, but it seems appropriate to introduce myself and discuss some matters that I think are important to us all.

First of all, I am just over a year removed from earning my PhD in Biology at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. I studied mygalomorph systematics and evolution under the supervision of Dr. Jason Bond. My dissertation research focused on the folding-door spiders in the genus Antrodiaetus, but my passion has always been Aphonopelma. I have stayed at ECU to work as a postdoctoral research associate, and continue to work on mygalomorphs.

For those that attended past ATS conferences and for others who have been monitoring some of the threads at the ATS site, hopefully you know that I have started working up some preliminary data to begin tackling some of the taxonomic issues in Aphonopelma. Over the past week, I have collected DNA sequence data from approximately 60 specimens (and I have several more sequencing at this very moment). The preliminary results are interesting (I am not at liberty to discuss them right now), but as expected, they're generating more questions than answers.

I am coming here to ask for your help. I am in need of WC specimens with accurate locality information to continue generating data on this genus. I am in need of everything, even A. hentzi. I need to have solid preliminary data by October/November because Dr. Bond and I want to submit a grant to do all of this "for real" by early January. Granting agencies want to see promising preliminary data so they can see that the work is feasible, so the more data I have at my disposal, the better!

Theraphosid taxonomy in general is a mess, and sadly, there are few properly trained individuals in academic positions to work on these marvelous spiders. I am in a fantastic position right now to begin working on these spiders, particularly the ones "close to home", using modern taxonomic techniques (there is only one published paper that has made use of DNA sequence data for theraphosid taxonomy). This work is labor-intensive and is NOT cheap, so all the help I can get to obtain specimens is of utmost importance.

If you would be interested in helping me out, please contact me via email, PM, or through this thread.

Thanks to everybody that has already helped, and thanks to those that are considering helping!

[Texas Blonde]

Can you please tell us what will become of the specimens you receive? In order to obtain their DNA, do you need to destroy the spider? Others, like myself, might be hesitant to collect spiders if they are going to be killed for the research. Especially since it sounds like you need such a large number of specimens.

Thanks.

/Sky

[Drachenjager]

Originally Posted by Texas Blonde

Can you please tell us what will become of the specimens you receive? In order to obtain their DNA, do you need to destroy the spider? Others, like myself, might be hesitant to collect spiders if they are going to be killed for the research. Especially since it sounds like you need such a large number of specimens.

Thanks.

/Sky

pickled tarantula anyone?

[GoTerps]

AFAIK, Brent does not need to kill the spider... only remove a leg.

Eric

[Drachenjager]

Originally Posted by GoTerps

AFAIK, Brent does not need to kill the spider... only remove a leg.

Eric

ummm what needs be done and what gets done is a differant story.
The number of Ts that will be destroyed for this is larger than a particular population that i talked with Brent about previously.
I dont care if it is nessary or not. I for one am not willing to destroy a population of isolated Ts just to find out that they are. That is really stupid .
Oh wow we found a new species but in the process we killed them all .

I would not have a big problem with sending him offspring from a WC pair of Ts but the shere number of Ts he wants is not gonna happen from me and if i have any say about it from anyone else.

No Offense to Brent, i he is a great guy and i really have mixed feeligns about the entire thing. I just dont see a need to take a lot of WC specimins for this.

[Brent H.]

As mentioned, only a leg is needed for a tissue sample (but I do need the specimen, too). I am also beginning to look into more non-invasive techniques for obtaining DNA.

As for the previous comment, we have already discussed this at length. I never said I was needing an entire population and I am much more conservation-oriented than you might think. The REASON for this research is to identify species (aka conservation units), not to selfishly kill them for my personal scientific enjoyment. You cannot save what is inherently not known. What I did say is that I am interested in adult males and females (one of each from an area would be amazingly generous), and at some point for vouchering purposes, the tissue and/or a spider would need to be deposited into a museum collection.

There is such a huge disconnect between the enthusiasts and researchers in theraphosids, and part of what I am trying to do is bridge some of these gaps. Both sides benefit from collaboration, and like I said, we are in a rare position for someone who has access to tools (and someone who wants to meticulously work on these spiders).

I am all for having intelligent discussions about this here or elsewhere, and perhaps I will need to attend Arachnocon in the future to make my case. I just feel that some real progress can be made with everybody's help. There are few people with access to molecular techniques that are willing to give Aphonopelma a chance. There has been too much careless taxonomy in theraphosids and I think it's time for a change.

[AR-Tarantula]

The work that Brent is proposing is what has been sorely needed for decades. The level of confusion that currently surrounds Aphonopelma taxonomy greatly hampers conservation efforts. Llimiting collection and/or protecting key habitats is virtually impossible if you can not adequately identify which species occurs where (or even if the species in question is valid). Everyone who lives in Aphonopelma country could make real contributions to sorting this mess out by giving Brent a hand. The sacrifice of a few individuals from a site will go a long way towards a better understanding of what we have and how it needs to be protected.

[Drachenjager]

Originally Posted by Brent H.

As for the previous comment, we have already discussed this at length. I never said I was needing an entire population and I am much more conservation-oriented than you might think. The REASON for this research is to identify species (aka conservation units), not to selfishly kill them for my personal scientific enjoyment. You cannot save what is inherently not known. What I did say is that I am interested in adult males and females (one of each from an area would be amazingly generous), and at some point for vouchering purposes, the tissue and/or a spider would need to be deposited into a museum collection.

The problem is with the ones we talked about is the small number of them at all. even a pair is a hard hit on such a small pop.

[Brent H.]

Originally Posted by Drachenjager

The problem is with the ones we talked about is the small number of them at all. even a pair is a hard hit on such a small pop.

Yes, we discussed that. But we also discussed the idea of adult males... let them do their business, then I can make good use of them before they die of natural causes. The need for both sexes is obvious, but I would be happy with anything (especially males). Spiderlings have limited utility... although I can still get DNA from them, it will take several years for them to reach maturity and we may not have several years to make decisions.

[cheetah13mo]

Hi Brent. I think I have what you are looking for as far as A. hentzi. I know exactly where I caught them and I now have a mature male that just molted out. I will be mateing him with my females and in a year or so, when he's done all he can do, your more than welcome to him. This is a good thing and I'd like to be a part of it. Thanks.

[Brent H.]

Originally Posted by cheetah13mo

Hi Brent. I think I have what you are looking for as far as A. hentzi. I know exactly where I caught them and I now have a mature male that just molted out. I will be mateing him with my females and in a year or so, when he's done all he can do, your more than welcome to him. This is a good thing and I'd like to be a part of it. Thanks.

Much appreciated, thanks!

[geopet]

I hope to see the objections that were directed at this research project directed towards the massive collection of wild tarantulas from Chile and elsewhere. At least here the specimens are being used for science.

[Drachenjager]

Originally Posted by geopet

I hope to see the objections that were directed at this research project directed towards the massive collection of wild tarantulas from Chile and elsewhere. At least here the specimens are being used for science.

you would if you paid attention. The main reason i am against it is there arent nearly enough in the wild as it is.
MAny of the local species have been over collected and exterminated to an ungodly low level.
Places where i used to see them all the time, there arent any anymore. Not only that people that still live there cant even remember the last time they saw one... So maybe i am over sensitive to killing them for ANY reason.
I would rather the tarantula keeping hobby be exterminated than the Ts to be non existant in the wild.
I am hoping that things work out for me in the next few years and i will be purchasing land that have Tarantulas on it to preserve thier habitats. but right now i cant afford a box of sand lol

[cheetah13mo]

Just to put minds at ease, I also have a few females for him to mate with and some of the young that come from the mateings will be returned from where I found the parents. I will continue to do this as long as I am breeding this species which will be as long as I own this species.

[Crotalus]

Funny to see how reluctant some people are with helping science out, while they more then willing to buy a few wildcaught at the nearest spider show.
Maybe its like some dont wanna know where the meat on the plate is coming from, they prefer to see it wrapped in plastic instead of the gritty truth of slaughterhouses.

Brent, if its any help - I can send you a male Aph. (after its dead) with the exact locale data if you are interested. Send me a email and we arrange it.