Why tarantulas come in vivid blues and greens

[Still Waters 51,034]

Why are some tarantulas so vividly colored? Scientists have puzzled over why these large, hairy spiders, active primarily during the evening and at night-time, would sport such vibrant blue and green colouration—especially as they were long thought to be unable to differentiate between colors, let alone possess true color vision.

In a recent study, researchers from Yale-NUS College and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) find support for new hypotheses: that these vibrant blue colors may be used to communicate between potential mates, while green colouration confers the ability to conceal among foliage. Their research also suggests that tarantulas are not as color-blind as previously believed, and that these arachnids may be able to perceive the bright blue tones on their bodies. The study was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B on 23 September, and is featured on the front cover of the current (30 September 2020) issue.

https://phys.org/news/2020-09-scientists-tarantulas-vivid-blues-greens.html

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2020.1688

[ThereWeAreThen 1,979]

For a species that terrifies millions of people globally, they sure are beautiful. 

[HandsomeGorilla 5,794]

Gooty Sapphire Ornamental 

They're even more striking in person. Close to being extinct in the wild 

https://www.google.com/search?q=gooty+sapphire+tarantula&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=ALeKk03z0hlcsqTraBUZ-A8SBa3s_1zscA:1601058743497&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpsq7N-ITsAhVKk1kKHftqDi8Q_AUoAXoECBsQAQ&biw=412&bih=751&dpr=2.63

[ThereWeAreThen 1,979]

2 hours ago, HandsomeGorilla said:

Gooty Sapphire Ornamental 

They're even more striking in person. Close to being extinct in the wild 

https://www.google.com/search?q=gooty+sapphire+tarantula&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=ALeKk03z0hlcsqTraBUZ-A8SBa3s_1zscA:1601058743497&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpsq7N-ITsAhVKk1kKHftqDi8Q_AUoAXoECBsQAQ&biw=412&bih=751&dpr=2.63

That's got to be one of the most stunning of creatures I've ever seen. I wonder why they're going extinct? Couldn't be the primates who are "running" the world could it? 

[HandsomeGorilla 5,794]

1 hour ago, ThereWeAreThen said:

That's got to be one of the most stunning of creatures I've ever seen. I wonder why they're going extinct? Couldn't be the primates who are "running" the world could it? 

Over collecting for the pet trade, even food. They're also thought to be extremely venomous (this particular species isn't, but others in the same genus can cause some fairly bad reactions in some, including nerve damage and paralysis), so they're often hunted and just killed. 

[ThereWeAreThen 1,979]

5 minutes ago, HandsomeGorilla said:

Over collecting for the pet trade, even food. They're also thought to be extremely venomous (this particular species isn't, but others in the same genus can cause some fairly bad reactions in some, including nerve damage and paralysis), so they're often hunted and just killed. 

So basically as I was saying, us humans are the reason. 

[HandsomeGorilla 5,794]

27 minutes ago, ThereWeAreThen said:

So basically as I was saying, us humans are the reason. 

Yes, animals typically don't make a habit of killing themselves off. Thankfully, collective captive breeding efforts (including my own at the time) have ensured this beautiful animal will continue to thrive for years to come. Thankfully they're fairly easy to breed once we figured out a few quirks. Some have actually released back into the wild and are slowly repopulating, but even if something else happens, there will be plenty of backup in captive care. 

Edited September 25, 2020 by HandsomeGorilla

[HandsomeGorilla 5,794]

The same has also been done for the Socotra Island Blue Baboon Tarantula. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=blue+island+baboon+tarantula&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=isnv&sxsrf=ALeKk03tVv_Np21K1kkzx-QETMJ3-QbtqA:1601073337128&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-65L8roXsAhXIneAKHSRBBeQQ_AUoAXoECA0QAQ&biw=412&bih=751&dpr=2.63

By the way, for your viewing enjoyment, look up their origin, Socotra Island. It's almost uninhabited, so the place is literally a paradise. Picture book, wallpaper kinda stuff. 

[docyabut2 5,677]

just like us humans we are all different colors, rainbows")

  

[docyabut2 5,677]

there`s even blue people:)

https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/the-science-behind-the-mysterious-blue-people-of-kentucky/

 

[openozy 2,908]

7 hours ago, docyabut2 said:

there`s even blue people:

I hope they cheer up.

[ThereWeAreThen 1,979]

12 hours ago, HandsomeGorilla said:

Yes, animals typically don't make a habit of killing themselves off. Thankfully, collective captive breeding efforts (including my own at the time) have ensured this beautiful animal will continue to thrive for years to come. Thankfully they're fairly easy to breed once we figured out a few quirks. Some have actually released back into the wild and are slowly repopulating, but even if something else happens, there will be plenty of backup in captive care. 

Thats excellent news and long may it continue!!