Aphonopelma steindachneri

(Ausserer, 1875)

Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula

Aphonopelma steindachneri, commonly known as Steindachner's Ebony Tarantula, is a New World terrestrial tarantula to arid regions of California and Baja California, Mexico. The reaches 12–13 cm in diagonal leg span and exhibits dark velvet black to deep coloration. It constructs and occupies burrows in open ground, emerging primarily at night to forage. Males become most visible during summer and fall breeding seasons when they leave burrows to search for mates. The species from , , , and solifugids.

Aphonopelma steindachneri by (c) Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Aphonopelma steindachneri female ZooKeys 560 by Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Aphonopelma steindachneri: //əˌfoʊnoʊˈpɛlmə ˌstaɪndɑːkˈnɛri//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Dark coloration (velvet black to deep ) distinguishes it from lighter-colored such as Aphonopelma chalcodes (Arizona Blonde Tarantula). Males can be identified by tibial on legs and more slender build. -level identification within Aphonopelma is complicated by morphological similarity; precise determination requires examination of or genetic analysis.

Images

Appearance

Large-bodied terrestrial with diagonal leg span of 12–13 cm. Coloration is velvet black or deep . As with other Aphonopelma , males have relatively longer legs and smaller compared to females, with tibial on the legs used during mating. Both sexes possess on the abdomen for defense.

Habitat

Arid landscapes including desert and semi-desert environments. Constructs burrows in open ground rather than under vegetation or rocks. Occupied burrows typically have a thin curtain of over the entrance during daytime.

Distribution

United States (California, with range centered on metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Diego) and Mexico (Baja California).

Seasonality

Most active during breeding season from July to October, when males leave burrows to search for mates. Generally / year-round.

Diet

and ( and ) dominate the diet. Also consumes lepidopteran , , and other .

Life Cycle

Long-lived; takes of seven years to reach sexual maturity under optimal captive conditions. Females may live 30 years or more in captivity; wild lifespans likely shorter. Continues molting after adulthood to replenish defensive hairs and shed .

Behavior

and activity pattern. Constructs and occupies permanent burrows, sitting at the burrow lip at night to ambush . During winter, plugs burrow with soil and survives on fat reserves. When threatened, kicks from rather than biting. Males abandon burrows after reaching adulthood to search for mates; typically die after breeding.

Ecological Role

Mesopredator in desert . Controls of and . Serves as for (Pepsis and Hemipepsis), , , solifugids, and wolf (for ). Exhibits relatively low dietary overlap with arachnid .

Human Relevance

Occasionally kept in captivity. can cause irritation to mucous and allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Bites are rare and not considered dangerous to humans. in southern California is threatened by urbanization.

Similar Taxa

Aphonopelma chalcodesLighter coloration (blonde/tan in females, black legs with lighter body in males) and different geographic distribution (Arizona, New Mexico)
Aphonopelma johnnycashiAlso solid black, but restricted to area near Folsom Prison in California; distinguished by distribution and subtle morphological differences requiring expert examination

Misconceptions

Despite imposing appearance, the does not readily bite and is not dangerous to humans. The common perception of tarantulas as aggressive is unfounded for this and other North Aphonopelma species.

More Details

Conservation concerns

The ' range is concentrated around major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Diego, making vulnerable to urbanization and loss. Climate change poses additional threats to suitable arid habitat.

Intraguild predation

Documented as for solifuges (Eremobates palpisetulosus) in the Chihuahuan Desert, indicating vulnerability to other large .