Psalmopoeus

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Psalmopoeus
Psalmopoeus irminia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Family: Theraphosidae
Subfamily: Selenocosmiinae
Genus: Psalmopoeus
Pocock, 1895

Psalmopoeus is a genus of the family Theraphosidae containing various species of tarantulas. The genus is native to Central America and South America including the West Indies. These species are believed to be relatively venomous, and research in the venom of P. cambridgei shows it to be similar to capsaicin, the molecule causing irritation in chili peppers.[1] These molecules activate sensory cells to send pain signals to the brain. Genetic engineers are working on blocking the receptors that are activated by these molecules.[1]

List of species

  • Psalmopoeus affinis Strand, 1907 — West Indies
  • Psalmopoeus cambridgei Pocock, 1895 — Trinidad
  • Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus Pocock, 1903 — Ecuador
  • Psalmopoeus emeraldus Pocock, 1903 — Colombia
  • Psalmopoeus intermedius Chamberlin, 1940 — Panama
  • Psalmopoeus irminia Saager, 1994 — Venezuela
  • Psalmopoeus langenbucheri Schmidt, Bullmer & Thierer-Lutz, 2006 — Venezuela
  • Psalmopoeus maya (Witt, 1996) — Belize
  • Psalmopoeus plantaris Pocock, 1903 — Colombia
  • Psalmopoeus pulcher Petrunkevitch, 1925 — Panama
  • Psalmopoeus reduncus (Karsch, 1880) — Costa Rica
  • Psalmopoeus rufus Petrunkevitch, 1925 — Panama

As of 2010, a new Psalmopoeus species has been discovered in Veracruz, Mexico. It is still in the process of being described.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Anitei, Stefan (2006). Chili Peppers, as Strong as Tarantula Venom. Science.
  2. ↑ http://scabies.myfreeforum.org/archive/new-specie-in-mexico-waiting-for-description.__o_t__t_3358.html

External links

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