Does anyone know if whether a T drumming back at you indicates whether a T has reached sexual maturity or is just a way of signalling to other T's. A few days ago my Euathlus sp. Montane "drummed" back at me after i made a tapping noise over the other side of the room. I have tried to check the spider for signs of gender. These include...
1. Trying to judge the width of the T's opisthosoma, i was told to look to see whether it was wider at the pedicel and globose for a female and more ovoid and narrow at the pedicel for a male.
2. Checking for clubbed pedipalps, although they may be hidden under the extension of the cymbium i couldnt see any.
3. Looking at the epigynal plate for a small patch of bristles. At first i confused the bristles with the covering of the book lungs (newbie mistake)
4. Checking the area foward of the epigastric furrow, as apparently this protrudes above the surrounding area, giving the spider a "pot belly" for a female.
I also consulted Schultz & Schultz Tarantula guide for a more expert opinion and found only the above information. Having never seen a mature male/Female of this species most of what i have seen could be wrote of as conjecture.
1. Trying to judge the width of the T's opisthosoma, i was told to look to see whether it was wider at the pedicel and globose for a female and more ovoid and narrow at the pedicel for a male.
2. Checking for clubbed pedipalps, although they may be hidden under the extension of the cymbium i couldnt see any.
3. Looking at the epigynal plate for a small patch of bristles. At first i confused the bristles with the covering of the book lungs (newbie mistake)
4. Checking the area foward of the epigastric furrow, as apparently this protrudes above the surrounding area, giving the spider a "pot belly" for a female.
I also consulted Schultz & Schultz Tarantula guide for a more expert opinion and found only the above information. Having never seen a mature male/Female of this species most of what i have seen could be wrote of as conjecture.
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