New Species Of Electric Blue Tarantula Discovered In Thailand

Saturday, May 18, 2024, 12:05 P.M. ET. By Ryan Metz: Englebrook Independent News, 

PHANG-NGA-TH.- Just last year, a new species of electric blue tarantula was discovered in Thailand making it the first known tarantula of its kind to be located in the mangrove swamps in the Phang-Nga Province of Thailand. The incredible blue color of the spider does not come from pigmented cells, but rather from tiny nanostructures in its hairs that produce the bright iridescence.

     Strangely enough, the spider was known from the pet trade as the electric blue tarantula but had never been identified in the wild. The scientific name that it has been given is Chilobrachys natanicharum. The species name of the spider natanicharum was chosen through an auction to benefit cancer patients and the education of indigenous Lahu children and is a combination of the names of Mr. Natakorn Changrew and Ms. Nichada Changrew.

     While surveying in the Phang-Nga Province of Thailand, wildlife YouTuber JoCho Sippawat and researchers from Khon Kaen University spotted the brilliant blue tarantula on trees in the mangrove forests. Though easily spotted, catching them proved to be much more difficult. “Collecting them was challenging due to the muddy and waterlogged ground,” said Narin Chomphuphuang, a member of the research team. “These tarantulas inhabit 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 hollows amid humid and slippery conditions. During our expedition, we walked in the evening and at night during low tide, managing to collect only two of them.”

     Scientists aren’t sure why the tarantula has evolved this blue iridescence but think it may have something to do with attracting mates, as is common in many other species.