May 3, 2024

Electric Blue Surprise: Dazzling Tarantula Discovery in Thai Mangroves

Blue is among the rarest colors to appear in nature, which makes blue pigmentation in animals especially fascinating. To appear blue, an item requires to absorb very percentages of energy while reflecting high-energy blue light. Getting particles efficient in absorbing this energy is complex, making blue in nature reasonably unusual. Whats much more remarkable is its ability to not only show blue however also a stunning violet shade, creating a remarkable iridescent effect.
Chilobrachys natanicharum. Credit: Narin Chomphuphuang
Recognition and Habitat Adaptability
” This species was formerly found on the commercial tarantula market. There, it was understood as the “Chilobrachys sp. Electric Blue Tarantula” however no paperwork existed explaining its distinct features or natural environment,” Narin stated.
” The electrical blue tarantula demonstrates amazing versatility. These tarantulas can flourish in arboreal along with terrestrial burrows in evergreen forests. Nevertheless, when it concerns mangrove forests, their environment is limited to residing inside tree hollows due to the influence of tides,” Narin likewise stated.
Chilobrachys natanicharum. Credit: Yuranan Nanthaisong
Calling the New Species and Its Impact
The taxonomic name of Chilobrachys natanicharum was picked after an auction campaign for calling the brand-new types. The winner of the auction campaign was Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand, which recommended a combination of the names of company executives Mr. Natakorn Changrew and Ms. Nichada Changrew.
All earnings from the auction were contributed to support the education of Lahu children in Thailand and bad cancer clients.
Chilobrachys natanicharum. Credit: Yuranan Nanthaisong
” The Lahu people are a native hill people in northern Thailand (Musoe) and are understood for their dynamic culture and standard way of living. Numerous Lahu kids are denied access to education due to hardship, leaving them with limited opportunities for their future. In addition, cancer remains a substantial public health concern internationally, impacting countless individuals each year. Numerous cancer clients battle with monetary challenge, which can make accessing quality care a lot more challenging. Our company believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, no matter their financial situation,” the scientists compose in their paper, which was just published on September 18 in the journal ZooKeys.
Chilobrachys natanicharum. Credit: Narin Chomphuphuang
The Importance of Taxonomy and Conservation Concerns
” Its necessary for the general public to understand the significance of taxonomy as an essential element of research study. Taxonomy serves an important role, varying from the basic, such as when people ask on social media about the name of a spider, to carrying out essential research focused on preserving these types from extinction.” Narin said.
Mangrove forests face the looming danger of logging. The electrical blue tarantula is likewise one of the worlds rarest tarantulas. “This raises a crucial question: Are we inadvertently contributing to the damage of their natural environments, pressing these unique creatures out of their homes?” the scientists state in conclusion.
Recommendation: “A new electric-blue tarantula species of the genus Chilobrachys Karsh, 1892 from Thailand (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae)” by Narin Chomphuphuang, Zongtum Sippawat, Patipan Sriranan, Paveen Piyatrakulchai and Chaowalit Songsangchote, 18 September 2023, ZooKeys.DOI: 10.3897/ zookeys.1180.106278.

There, they recognized the brand-new tarantula types by its unique electric-blue coloration. These tarantulas populate hollow trees, and the problem of catching an electric-blue tarantula lies in the requirement to climb a tree and draw it out of a complex of hollows amidst slippery and humid conditions.” This species was previously found on the commercial tarantula market.” The electrical blue tarantula demonstrates remarkable adaptability. The electrical blue tarantula is also one of the worlds rarest tarantulas.

Chilobrachys natanicharum. Credit: Yuranan Nanthaisong
A new electric blue tarantula species was found in Thailands mangrove forests. Its color is credited to unique hair nanostructures, and the species highlights the significance of taxonomy and the need for preservation efforts.
In an interesting discovery, a brand-new types of tarantula with electrical blue pigmentation was found in Thailand.
” In 2022, the bamboo culm tarantula was discovered, marking the first known instance of a tarantula species living inside bamboo stalks. Thanks to this discovery, we were inspired to rejoin the team for a fantastic expedition, throughout which we came across a captivating brand-new types of electrical blue tarantula,” researcher Dr. Narin Chomphuphuang stated.

After the announcement of Taksinus bambus in Thailand, he and his research study team, in addition to local wildlife YouTuber JoCho Sippawat, embarked on a study exploration in the Phang-Nga province. There, they determined the new tarantula types by its unique electric-blue coloration. This is the first tarantula species ever found in a Thai mangrove forest.
Chilobrachys natanicharum. Credit: Narin Chomphuphuang
Exploration Insights and the Tarantulas Unique Color
” The first specimen we found was on a tree in the mangrove forest. These tarantulas inhabit hollow trees, and the trouble of capturing an electric-blue tarantula depends on the need to climb up a tree and tempt it out of a complex of hollows amidst humid and slippery conditions. During our exploration, we strolled at night and during the night during low tide, managing to collect just 2 of them,” Narin stated.
” The secret behind the vibrant blue coloration of our tarantula lies not in the presence of blue pigments, but rather in the special structure of their hair, which incorporates nanostructures that control light to produce this striking blue appearance.”