First record of Chaetopelma olivaceum C.L. Koch, 1841 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Gujarat, India

Abstract

Tarantula spider (Chaetopelma olivaceum (C.L. Koch, 1841) is reported for the first time from Gujarat, based on one female specimen collected from Kharjai village, Vansda, Navsari District, Gujarat, India. This new record extends the distribution range of the species for about 400 km in north from the nearest known locality. Tarantula spiders of the family Therephosidae are large sized, two clawed free-living mygalomorphs comprising more than 152 genera and 1010 species occurring worldwide (NMBE-WSC Ver. 21- 2021) among which 11 genera and 55 species are found in India. The genus Chaetopelma ausserer (ANTON AUSSERER, 1871) is known from Cameroon, Cyprus, Syria and South-east Turkey to Europe as far as India. The present paper reports a single specimens collected for the first time from Gujarat, in the village Kharjai during a field visit in summer season. This record extends the distribution range of the species. The species is redescribed and diagnostic characters, and new locality record provided.