Entomologists in Thailand were astonished by the discovery of a new species of tarantula in the southern part of the country.
Named the Chilobrachys natanicharum, the spider has a mesmerizing “blue-violet hue resembling the color of electrical sparks,” according to researchers from the Entomology Museum at Khon Kaen University and the Natural History Museum of the National Science Museum. They described the rare color of the tarantula as an “enchanting phenomenon.”
“The blue coloration in animals is a fascinating and relatively rare phenomenon in nature,” the researchers stated. “Blue color in tarantulas is a unique instance of structural colors that evolved independently at least eight times.”
The new species was named through a nationwide auction and is dedicated to executives of Nichada Properties Co. Ltd., a real estate company.
Photos reveal that the spider has blue-purple hair on its legs and body. The coloring on the legs is described as “unique” and “iridescent” by the researchers. Female spiders and young male spiders display “more violet than metallic-blue hairs,” while the bright blue color is more pronounced in male spiders, albeit “less intense than in females.”
The spider is believed to inhabit Thailand’s southern mangrove forests, where it resides inside tree hollows. It may also be found in evergreen forests. However, the species has been affected by habitat destruction and tarantula hunting. Tarantulas are considered controlled wildlife in Thailand, and the researchers emphasize the importance of conserving and protecting the species and their habitats.
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