As reported on Science News Explore, a new type of tarantula called “bambootula” has been discovered in northern Thailand. It is part of a previously unseen genus and is the first new genus of tarantula found in Asia in over a century. What sets bambootula apart is its unique biology tied to bamboo, making it the world’s first tarantula with this connection. The discovery was made by a Thai research team from Khon Kaen University and the findings were published in the scientific journal ZooKeys.
The spider Taksinus bambus is named after a former king of Siam and the sub-family name for bamboo. These spiders have evolved to live in bamboo stems, which serve as a safe hiding place and eliminate the need for burrowing or nest-building. Inside the bamboo culms, the spiders create a retreat tube made of spider silk, providing security and easy movement.
T. bambus, a type of tarantula, was discovered by a wildlife YouTuber named JoCho Sippawat while he was cutting bamboo near his home. This shows that important discoveries are not always made by scientists. Linda Rayor, a biologist at Cornell University, explains that new spider species are constantly being found, with an estimated one in every three to five species still awaiting discovery. Rayor emphasizes that anyone can make a new spider discovery, including local people who are curious and observant.
The size and shape of certain organs in tarantulas can help identify the genus they belong to. In the case of a new tarantula species called T. bambus, its habitat type also provided a clue for its classification. Unlike other Asian tree-dwelling tarantulas, T. bambus is found in bamboo forests at elevations of around 1,000 meters. These forests are primarily composed of bamboo, with some other trees mixed in. The researchers discovered that T. bambus exclusively resides in bamboo and not in any other plants.
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