Dolichothele rufoniger spiderling • 1/2 – 5/8″ (Brazilian citrus blue)

Description

Listed for sale are captive-bred Dolichothele rufoniger spiderlings.

Originally described under the name Oligoxystre rufoniger (2007) [1], this species as well as all former Oligoxystre are now Dolichothele. D. rufoniger is a dwarf tarantula native to the states of Piauí and Bahia, Brazil. The spider has been in the hobby long enough that its name is well-recognized. Color is orange on the carapace and leg bases (femurs) and bluish on the legs distally. Keeping has proven unremarkable, conditions used for the more common D. diamantinensis are sufficient. D. rufoniger is an opportunistic burrower.

There may be some variation regarding the color of this species, as shown here and here. The original description of this species [1] shows a female specimen (below) colored as shown in the photo above. We’ve raised different generations of D. rufoniger and have only seen the color-pattern shown in these photos.

Photos: 1-semi-adult female (ArachnoEden)

Care highlights:

• slightly dampened substrate for spiderlings
• elevated humidity +/- water dish support
• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
• juveniles & older specimens can be kept on a drier substrate
• consider a hide, forest litter and plantings for enrichment

[1] Guadanucci, J. P. L. (2007). A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Oligoxystre Vellard 1924 (Theraphosidae, Ischnocolinae). Zootaxa 1555: 1-20.

from reference [1]:

39. Oligoxystre rufoniger n. sp., female, from Central , Bahia, Brazil (photos: R. Pinto-da-Rocha)