Description
Holothele sp. “Dominican Republic” is native to the island of Hispaniola (Hispaniolan blue dwarf). It was originally collected from the Dominican Republic on the eastern end of the island. Jarabacoa, shown below, is a city located near the geographic heart of the Dominican Republic.
Jarabacoa, Dominican RepublicWe hobbyists know the Dominican Republic mainly from Phormictopus species found there. H. sp. “Dominican Republic” (sp. “DR”) raises the hope for other genera yet to be introduced.
Many internet resources suggest H. sp. “DR” is actually the Hispaniolan endemic, Scopelobates sericeus. However, S. sericeus has a “conspicuous dorsal abdominal patch of urticating setae type I and III” [1], which H. sp. “DR” does not have. Until more information becomes available we’ll use the undescribed species name.
In captivity, H. sp. “DR” spiderlings thrive at room temperature (68-72F/20-22C) and elevated humidity (75-90% RH). We’ve raised them beyond the fruit fly stage in hopes of better survival upon sending them out. They’re now taking 1/8- to 1/4-inch crickets. They are a fast moving spider so have a catch cup ready for transfers. Not defensive and of course, not a hair flicker. Females mature sexually at 2.5-3 inches.
Photos: 1-mother of these specimens (Jake Huff); 2-pairing (Jake Huff)
Care highlights:
- slightly dampened substrate for spiderings
- elevated humidity (75-90% RH) +/- water dish support
- room temperature (68-72F) up to 80-85F
- juveniles & older specimens can be kept on drier substrate
- consider plantings and places to hide for enrichment
[1] Guadanucci, J. P. L., Perafán, C. & Valencia-Cuéllar, D. (2017). The genus Holothele Karsch, 1879: the identity of the type species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae). Zoosystema 39(2): 263-271.
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