Difference between the A. geniculata and L. cristata

[Helen Roberts]

With the absence of a photograph (which would make things so much easier) could anyone please explain the difference between an A. geniculata and a
L. cristata.

I have a T that could be either. It has a red rump, lovely black shoulders with white joints with white stripes running between the leg joints, and has a flattish stone coloured carapace (I think that's what it's called). It spends most of its time in a burrow under its log and is a great escape artist. Since moving it into its new home, it's escaped 3 times lol.

I know it's not much to go on but it's worth asking.

[Colin D Wilson]

Very basic care sheets and pictures for you for comparison

L. cristata

http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/L-cristata.html

A. geniculata

http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/A-geniculata.html

[Helen Roberts]

Many thanks Colin, the one I have looks very much like the L. cristata. Its always nice to know what you have.

[Mikhail F. Bagaturov]

To add:
These are not "Lasiodora cristata", these are: Nhandu chromatus.
Why? Look here at the bottom: http://tarantulas.tropica.ru/en/news_evolution/2004

[Helen Roberts]

So, is the Nhandu chromatus the same as an L. cristata then?

[Colin D Wilson]

From reading that Helen, it seems that Lasiodora cristata was redescribed in 2004 as Nhandu chromatus.

This aside for a mo, you know which one you "more than likely" have from looking at the images, which is the main thing.

[Eric Reynolds]

Hi Colin,

From reading that Helen, it seems that Lasiodora cristata was redescribed in 2004 as Nhandu chromatus.

The spider we call Nhandu chromatus was undescribed prior to Schmidt describing it as such in 2004. It was only incorrectly labeled as Lasiodora cristata by folks in the pet trade. The real L. cristata has never been in the hobby AFAIK. So, our N. chromatus has never been anything other than N. chromatus.

That being said, N. chromatus may not be properly placed at the moment, and may even belong to a yet undescribed genus.

Eric

[Mikhail F. Bagaturov]

Thanks Eric for detail clarification on th subject.
Your English is much better than mine!

Remeber the late days at yahoo we have possibility to get Dr. Bertani's opinion on the species and he told that it is shares the taxo characters of Nhandu, Lasi and also Vitalius too.
So may easily forms a new genera taxon in future.

[Colin D Wilson]

Thanks for that extra info Eric,

More and more of this "incorrect labeling" and "new species" scenario seems to be coming more apparent as we delve deeper (as it were) into the realms of taxonomy.

I, for one, find it very interesting.

Would you (or anyone) happen to know more about A large tarantula that was found at the Stockman's Hall of Fame in Longreach, Australia recently. (the article read as a 2007 update)
ABC (very vaguely) reported it had generated some excitement because it's apparently an unidentified species and one of the largest in Australia.
There was a picture on the ABC news site but the text said "the spider was similar to the image" so pretty useless showing it to be honest.