Atypus affinis - British tarantula?

[Mark Pajak]

Could it be argued that Atypus affinis the British purse web spider counts as a 'tarantula' seeing as it is in the suborder Mygalomorphae and so the closest thing we've got in this country with back pointing fangs and all?

especially seeing as the origins of the word tarantula hark from a non mygalomorph in the first place??

[Colin D Wilson]

Wait for the next journal Mark, i've written an article about this species and have forwarded it to richard gallon for publication.

lovely little creatures!

[Mark Pajak]

what a cliffhanger!

[Colin D Wilson]

yeah sorry Mark

I'm in that cliffhanger stage as well with the proposed Avicularia article from Ray G.

[James Box]

a possible British tarantula AND an Avic article...the next journal is going to be great!

[Phil Rea]

It's not a theraphosid though, it's Atypidae. Mind you I guess you can call it what you like

[Ray Gabriel]

Anyone know where to find these?

Ray

[Colin D Wilson]

Ray

It's all in my journal article......you'll have to wait!!

Nah....can't do that to you, i'll email you with my own records.

Colin

[Toran Tanner]

hey you guys no going without me...

[Colin D Wilson]

hey you guys no going without me...

Don't worry mate, i've got some little field trips sorted to try and find them in another area to which i have already.

Your place is booked in my passenger seat !!!!!!

[Phil Rea]

Anyone know where to find these?

Ray

They're fairly widely distributed throughout the UK, Ray. Even been some recorded near me

BAS Map

[Toran Tanner]

Don't worry mate, i've got some little field trips sorted to try and find them in another area to which i have already.

Your place is booked in my passenger seat !!!!!!

I a wait......

[Kirk McNulty]

I had no idea we have such an impressive looking spider in this country, Ive never seen anything like it. Can anyone tell me what size it is and if it comes from the south.

[Colin D Wilson]

Females average 12-15mm long, males 7-9mm. (although there has been a 22mm female found recently, boy would i have liked to have been on that field trip)

Impressive ...yes !!....fiesty as well.

If you click on the BAS map on Phils post above it will give you distribution through the British Isles

Welcome to the forum Kirk

Colin

[Kirk McNulty]

Cheers Colin that was very helpful ! happy b-day for the 18th and congrats on becoming a moderator at the ripe old age of 17 !