tarantula markings and colours

[Jamie Walker]

Why do some species of tarantula have such extravagant markings or colours?

for example, the poecilotheria species, are the patterns on these to break up the outline of the spider as to help protect it from would be predators, as in a lot of lizards and snakes? or just general camoflage? or are they just more vain then other T's and want to look there best!

Also the colours of T's, for example, C. Cyaneopubescens, such bright colourful species. Does anyone have a theory as to why?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[matthew spooner]

hya jamie, i managed to find an old thread i remember reading on this subject for ya

http://www.thebts.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=3804

hope this helps with your querie

[Jamie Walker]

Thanks Matthew, It appears according to that thread a lot of it is camoflage, but that wouldn't explain the C. Cyaneopubescens though. Being that this the favourite species I own, I am just curious!

I look forward to reading about Rays findings though.

[matthew spooner]

camoflage isnt the case for all species, it might be that the colours or markings of some species are designed to warn off their most common predator

[Jamie Walker]

I only have 1 species of pokie (P. Fasciata), and I'v noticed the brighter colours are on the underside. So I would determine from this that the colours on top are for camoflage, and the colours on the underside, which would be visible when in a threat posture, are to warn off predators.

Of course I could be completely wrong!

[Nicola Dolby]

I'd think of the ladybird effect, "I'm brightly coloured so don't eat me!" Regarding GBB anyway. Also some birds see blue as bright yellow, which adds to the effect or so I'm told! Poecilotheria are, although not apparent so much in captivity, very well camouflaged in nature. In fact with the cork bark & plants in my P. rufilata tanks I sometimes dont see the odd one out and about when I'm cleaning until it touches my arm or something

[Jamie Walker]

I'd think of the ladybird effect, "I'm brightly coloured so don't eat me!" Also some birds see blue as bright yellow, which adds to the effect or so I'm told!

This is the only reason I can think of regarding the GBB. Or maybe its to say "I'm venomous" like the brightly coloured frogs?

[Jamie Walker]

I am just using pokies and GBB's as examples, there are of course many other species that would warrant he same question, the Avics for another example.

[matthew spooner]

all species of T have there own markings and colours for various different reasons, my favourite reason is that they look bloody fantastic lol

[Jamie Walker]

I cant argue with that!! I do tend to go for the more colourful species. pokie, GBB, a. geniculata, a. bicoloratum to name a few of my collection