Wiktor Wise
The electric blue tarantula, scientifically named Chilobrachys natanicharum, was discovered in 2023 in Thailand's Phang Nga province. The species was previously known in the commercial tarantula trade market as the Chilobrachys sp. Electric Blue Tarantula, but its natural habitat remained a mystery. The discovery was made by a team from Khon Kaen University and wildlife YouTuber JoCho Sippawat, who found the tarantulas in the muddy conditions of Phang Nga province's mangrove forest. The electric blue tarantula is now the first known tarantula species found in Thailand's mangroves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Discovery | 26 September 2023 |
| Species Name | Chilobrachys natanicharum |
| Common Name | Electric Blue Tarantula |
| Location | Southern Thailand |
| Province | Phang Nga |
| Elevation | 5-57 meters |
| Habitat | Mangrove Forests, Highland Areas, Evergreen Forests, Arboreal and Terrestrial Burrows |
| Color | Blue, Violet, Iridescent |
| Related Species | Taksinus bambus (Bamboo Culm Tarantula) |
| Discovered By | Dr. Narin Chomphuphuang, JoCho Sippawat, and others |
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What You'll Learn
The electric blue tarantula was discovered in 2023
The electric blue tarantula, Chilobrachys natanicharum, was discovered in 2023. This fascinating new species of tarantula, with its striking blue hue, was found in the muddy conditions of Thailand's Phang Nga province, specifically in the mangrove forests of the region.
The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Khon Kaen University in Thailand, led by Narin Chomphuphuang, along with wildlife YouTuber JoCho Sippawat. They identified the electric blue tarantula by its distinctive coloration and unique natural history. The spider's vivid blue colour is not due to pigments but is instead the result of nanostructures on its hairs that manipulate light to create an iridescent effect.
This species of tarantula demonstrates remarkable adaptability, thriving in both arboreal and terrestrial burrows within evergreen and mangrove forests at elevations up to 57 meters (187 feet). They can be found in southern Thailand, particularly in the remaining forest areas close to where they were discovered. The electric blue tarantula is also one of the world's rarest tarantulas, with its specific habitat facing the threat of deforestation.
The scientific name, Chilobrachys natanicharum, was chosen through an auction campaign, with the proceeds donated to support the education of Indigenous Lahu children in Thailand and cancer patients in need of treatment. The name is derived from company executives Natakorn and Nichada Changrew of Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand.
The discovery of the electric blue tarantula adds to our understanding of the diversity and fascination of coloration patterns in the animal kingdom, specifically the evolution of blue coloration in tarantula species.
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It was found in Thailand's Phang Nga province
The electric blue tarantula, Chilobrachys natanicharum, was discovered in Thailand's Phang Nga province. This discovery was made by researchers from Khon Kaen University and wildlife YouTuber JoCho Sippawat. The tarantula was found in the muddy conditions of Phang Nga province's mangrove forest.
The electric blue tarantula is the first known tarantula species found in Thailand's mangroves. It is also one of the world's rarest tarantulas. The species was previously known in the commercial tarantula market, but its natural habitat was unknown. The recent discovery in Phang Nga province has led researchers to speculate that the species may be present in the southern region of Thailand, especially in the remaining forest areas close to where it was found.
The electric blue tarantula gets its name from its vivid blue colour, which is not due to pigments but the unique structure of its hair. Its blue colour is created by nanostructures on the tarantula's hairs that manipulate light and produce an iridescent effect. Blue is one of the rarest colours found in nature, making it particularly fascinating when it appears in animals.
The electric blue tarantula demonstrates remarkable adaptability, thriving in both arboreal and terrestrial burrows within mangrove and evergreen forests at elevations up to 57 meters (187 feet). However, in mangrove forests, their habitat is restricted to residing inside tree hollows due to the influence of tides.
The discovery of the electric blue tarantula in Thailand's Phang Nga province highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect their natural habitats. The researchers who discovered this species have expressed concern about the destruction of the tarantula's mangrove habitats due to deforestation and agriculture.
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The species is named Chilobrachys natanicharum
The electric blue tarantula, a species of the genus Chilobrachys Karsh, 1892, was discovered in 2023 in Thailand. It is named Chilobrachys natanicharum, and commonly referred to as the electric blue tarantula due to its distinctive colouration. The specific name "natanicharum" was chosen through an auction to benefit cancer patients and the education of Indigenous Lahu children in Thailand. The auction was won by Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand, who suggested a combination of the names of company executives, Natakorn and Nichada Changrew.
The electric blue tarantula is the first known tarantula species found in Thailand's mangroves. It was discovered by researchers from Khon Kaen University, along with wildlife YouTuber JoCho Sippawat, in the Phang Nga province's mangrove forest. The spider's blue colour is not due to pigments but to nanostructures on its hairs that manipulate light, creating an iridescent effect. This phenomenon is known as structural colour, which is produced by the arrangement of biological photonic nanostructures.
The electric blue tarantula demonstrates remarkable adaptability, thriving in both arboreal and terrestrial burrows within evergreen and mangrove forests at elevations up to 57 meters (187 feet). They can be found in southern Thailand, particularly in forest patches near the type locality. The species is considered one of the world's rarest tarantulas, and its natural habitats are facing the threat of deforestation and hunting, which has impacted local populations.
The discovery of the electric blue tarantula highlights the importance of taxonomy in research and conservation. It also raises critical questions about the potential destruction of unique creatures' natural habitats.
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The tarantula's blue colour is caused by nanostructures on its hairs
In 2023, scientists in Thailand discovered a new species of tarantula with a unique blue hue. The tarantula, named Chilobrachys natanicharum, is also known as the electric blue tarantula. This discovery marked the first known instance of a tarantula species living in Thai mangrove forests.
The vibrant blue coloration of the electric blue tarantula is not due to pigments but rather nanostructures on its hairs that manipulate light and create an iridescent effect. This phenomenon is known as structural colour, where specific shapes within the hairs reflect particular wavelengths of light, resulting in the perception of blue.
Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and the University of Akron investigated the mechanism behind the tarantula's blue hue. They found that the nanostructures in the tarantula's exoskeleton, specifically within its hairs, are responsible for the consistent shade of blue across different species. These nanostructures are multilayered and vary in shape, including smooth, rod-shaped hairs, symmetric hairs with tubular foldings, and asymmetric hairs with bladelike protrusions.
The slight shifts in the arrangement of these nanostructures can lead to significant colour differences, as observed in the diverse colours of Polyommatus butterflies. However, in tarantulas, the blue colour remains consistent, suggesting that it is not driven by sexual selection but may serve other purposes such as camouflage or warning signals.
The discovery of the electric blue tarantula and its unique colouration provides valuable insights into the evolution of structural colours in nature. By understanding the nanostructures that create this colour, researchers can explore potential applications in technology, such as improving computer or TV screens using biomimicry to create pigment replacements that never fade and reduce glare.
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It is one of the world's rarest tarantulas
The electric blue tarantula, Chilobrachys natanicharum, is one of the world's rarest tarantulas. Its distinctive blue-violet hue resembles the colour of electrical sparks. This species of tarantula was discovered in 2023 in Thailand's Phang Nga province. The first specimen was spotted on a tree in the mangrove forest. Chilobrachys natanicharum is the first known tarantula species found in Thai mangroves.
The electric blue tarantula's colour is not due to pigments but to nanostructures on its hairs that manipulate light to create an iridescent effect. This phenomenon of blue coloration in animals is due to the fact that blue is one of the rarest colours found in nature. The structural colour is produced by the arrangement of biological photonic nanostructures.
The Chilobrachys natanicharum tarantula is highly adaptable and can thrive in arboreal and terrestrial burrows within mangrove and evergreen forests at elevations of up to 57 meters (187 feet). They inhabit hollow trees, and catching them requires climbing trees and luring them out of complex hollows in humid and slippery conditions.
The species name, natanicharum, was chosen through an auction to benefit cancer patients and the education of Indigenous Lahu children in Thailand. The auction winner was Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand, which suggested a combination of the names of company executives Mr. Natakorn and Nichada Changrew.
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Frequently asked questions
The electric blue tarantula was discovered in 2023.
The electric blue tarantula was discovered in Thailand's Phang Nga province.
The scientific name of the electric blue tarantula is Chilobrachys natanicharum.
