Scientists have found a new species of tarantula, a fiery redhead or red-reared arachnid, in Arizona, and the discovery was "rather unexpected."
“We often hear about new species being discovered from remote corners of Earth, but it is remarkable that these spiders are found in our own backyard, albeit in somewhat difficult-to-access areas of our backyard," Chris Hamilton, co-lead author of the study in ZooKeys that reported on the spider and an assistant professor at the University of Idaho, said in a statement. “With Earth in the midst of a human-mediated extinction crisis, it is astonishing how little we know about our planet’s biodiversity, even for conspicuous and charismatic groups such as tarantulas.”
On Aug. 19, EurekAlert published a news release announcing the eight-legged discovery. The spider is gray and black and has a "fiery red" abdomen.
This fuzzy little guy, named Aphonopelma jacobii, is the 30th species of tarantula to be documented in the U.S., according to the news release. It was named after Michael Jacobi, who "helped find several of the first specimens which led to the description of this new species."
But the tarantula could face dangers or even go extinct because of climate change.
Beware of giant spiders:Thousands of tarantulas to emerge in 3 states for mating season
The tarantula was discovered in the forests of the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona, where it lives through "bitterly cold winters."
The mountains are "renowned for their exceptional biodiversity," according to the news release.
There are high levels of endemism, meaning many species are unique to the area.
The mountains comprise a piece of the Madrean Archipelago, also known as the Madrean Sky Islands.
The "islands" that make up the forested mountain ranges are separated by deserts and arid grassland that reach across the Cordilleran gap from the Colorado Plateau to the Rocky Mountains in the southwestern United States and then to the Sierra Madre Occidental in northwestern Mexico.
Because the mountains evolved in isolation, conditions led to the origin of numerous short-range endemic species. They created "mosaic of biodiversity unlike that of any other region in the United States."
The tarantula's natural habitat is being threatened by climate change, according to the news release.
"Recent studies in the Sky Island region suggest that these forests will be 'pushed off' the mountains over the next several decades as temperatures and precipitation continue to increase and decrease, respectively," the release said. "Organisms adapted to these cooler and more humid mountain tops − such as these spiders − will likely become extinct as suitable habitat disappears."
These spiders also are threatened by the following, according to Brent Hendrixson, co-lead author of the study and professor at Millsaps College:
"In addition, there is some concern that these tarantulas will be exploited for the exotic pet trade due to their rarity, striking coloration and docile disposition," Hendrixson said. "We must consider the impact that unethical collectors might have on these spiders when determining the threats to this species and the implications for its conservation.”
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz.
