Colombian lesserblack tarantula

The Colombian lesserblack tarantula[1] (Xenesthis immanis) is a tarantula originating from Colombia. It is a relatively large spider with a body length reaching 6–7 cm, and frequently displays a commensal or mutualistic relationship with the Microhylid Frog Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata.[2] The relationship described is one where the spider may protect the frog and its eggs from predators while the frog protects the spider's eggs from ants. It has also been observed closely associating with Hamptophryne boliviana, another microhylid.[3]

Colombian lesserblack tarantula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Xenesthis
Species:
X. immanis
Binomial name
Xenesthis immanis
(Ausserer, 1875)

References
  1. Common Names of Arachnids, American Arachnological Society (2003)
  2. Reginald B. Cocroft and Keith Hambler, "Observations on a Commensal Relationship of the Microhylid Frog Chiasmocleis ventrimaculata and the Burrowing Theraphosid Spider Xenesthis immanis in Southeastern Peru", Biotropica Vol. 21 No. 1 (1989)
  3. Naish, Darren. "Tiny Frogs and Giant Spiders: Best of Friends". Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved 2020-05-02.


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