Blue is one of the least common colors in nature (except for the beautiful exception of the reflection of sea water). For their part, tarantulas are among the group of animals most feared by humans (despite the fact that they have recently proliferated as pets), perhaps because some of the almost a thousand known species are poisonous.
A blue tarantula, in short, is an attractive exception. And that is exactly what a group of scientific researchers and amateur naturalists (including a YouTuber) have discovered in a mangrove area in western Thailand.
With its attractive electric blue color, it seems strange that no one had observed the species until now, which is explained by its hiding places in trees in uninhabited areas that are very difficult to access. The discovery of this new variety of tarantula, with the scientific name Chilobrachys natanicharum, and its description have been presented in a scientific article published in the specialized magazine ZooKeys.
"In 2022, the bamboo stem tarantula was discovered, marking the first known case of a species of tarantula living inside bamboo stems. Thanks to this discovery, we were inspired to join the team for a fantastic expedition, during which we found a captivating new species of electric blue tarantula," said researcher Narin Chomphuphuang, co-author of the study.
Following the announcement of Taksinus bambus in Thailand, Chomphuphuang and his research team, along with local wildlife Youtuber JoCho Sippawat, embarked on a reconnaissance expedition in Phang-Nga province. There they identified the new species of tarantula by its distinctive electric blue coloration. This is the first species of tarantula found in a mangrove forest in Thailand.
"The first specimen we found was in a mangrove tree. These tarantulas live in hollow trees, and the difficulty of catching an electric blue tarantula lies in the need to climb a tree and lure it out of a complex of holes in the middle of humidity." And slippery conditions. During our expedition, we walked in the afternoon and at night during low tide, managing to collect only two of them," said Narin Chomphuphuang in a note released by Pensoft, publisher of ZooKeys. As the videos released by its discoverers show, this Tarantula is as attractive as it is harmless to humans.
"The secret behind the vivid blue coloration of our tarantula lies not in the presence of blue pigments, but in the unique structure of its hair, which incorporates nanostructures that manipulate light to create this surprising blue appearance," details the researcher.
To appear blue, an object needs to absorb very small amounts of energy while reflecting high-energy blue light. Generating molecules capable of absorbing this energy is complex, which makes blue in nature relatively rare. What is even more fascinating is its ability to display not only blue but also a beautiful violet hue, creating a remarkable iridescent effect.
The scientific name Chilobrachys natanicharum was chosen after an auction campaign to name the new species. The winner of the auction campaign was Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand, which suggested a combination of the names of the company's executives, Natakorn Changrew and Nichada Changrew.
All proceeds from the auction were donated to support the education of Lahu children in Thailand and poor cancer patients. "The Lahu people are an indigenous hill tribe of northern Thailand (Musoe) and are known for their vibrant culture and traditional way of life. Unfortunately, many Lahu children are denied access to education due to poverty, "leaving them with limited opportunities for their future. Furthermore, cancer remains a major public health problem globally, affecting millions of people each year."
