Encyocratella_olivacea
Encyocratella
Genus of spiders
Encyocratella is a monotypic genus of Tanzanian tarantulas (family Theraphosidae) containing the single species, Encyocratella olivacea,[1] also known as the Tanzanian black and olive baboon spider.[citation needed] It was first described by Embrik Strand in 1907,[1][3] and is found in Tanzania.[1]
| Encyocratella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Encyocratella Strand, 1907[1] |
| Species: | E. olivacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Encyocratella olivacea | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
They are one of two tarantulas which females do not have a spermatheca, instead opting for oviducts and uterus externus.[4] Its carapace is a golden color, with a golden opisthosoma with a black fishbone pattern and spotting. The femur is a deep black color, with the rest of the legs being golden as most of the rest of the body.[citation needed]
They are found in the rainforests on the southern slopes of mount Meru in the Arusha Region.[4] The average temperature is 19°C, with average yearly rainfall of 1400mm.[5] They are usually found 2200 m above sea level,[4] a region that is home to plants such as Juniperus, Lobelia and Sedum.[6]
They are arboreal in nature, but also show burrowing tendencies, so they are sometimes confused as such. Most will try to flee at first, but persistent provocation may result in a bite or a threat pose. Their bite might be painful, as they probably have medically significant venom.[4]
- "Gen. Encyocratella Strand, 1907". World Spider Catalog Version 23.5. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
- Gallon, R. C. (2005). "Encyocratella olivacea Strand, 1907, a senior synonym of Xenodendrophila gabrieli Gallon, 2003 (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Stromatopelminae) with a description of the male". Zootaxa. 1003: 46. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1003.1.3.
- Strand, E. (1907). "Vorläufige Diagnosen afrikanischer und südamerikanischer Spinnen". Zoologischer Anzeiger. 31: 525–558.
- "Encyocratella olivacea". Theraphosidae. 2015-05-31. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- "Meru Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Kenya) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- Piniel, Neduvoto; Elia, John; Sitoni, Daniel; Kayombo, Canisius (2012). "Common PLANTS of MOUNT MERU" (PDF). Arusha National Park (ANAPA), Arusha District, TANZANIA. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
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