Poecilotheria is a genus of the family Theraphosidae containing various species of arboreal tarantula. This genus is known for vivid color patterns, fast movement, and potent venom compared to other tarantulas. The genus is native to Sri Lanka and India. The name Poecilotheria is derived from Greek "poikilos" - spotted and "therion" - wild beast.

Species [edit]

• Poecilotheria fasciata (Latreille, 1804) — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria formosa Pocock, 1899 — India
• Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica Smith, 2004 — India
• Poecilotheria metallica Pocock, 1899 — India
• Poecilotheria miranda Pocock, 1900 — India
• Poecilotheria nallamalaiensis Rao et al., 2006 — India
• Poecilotheria ornata Pocock, 1899 — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria pederseni Kirk, 2001 — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria pococki Charpentier, 1996 — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria rajaei Nanayakkara, et. al., 2012 — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria regalis Pocock, 1899 — India
• Poecilotheria rufilata Pocock, 1899 — India
• Poecilotheria smithi Kirk, 1996 — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria striata Pocock, 1895 — India
• Poecilotheria subfusca Pocock, 1895 — Sri Lanka
• Poecilotheria tigrinawesseli Smith, 2006 — India
• Poecilotheria uniformis Strand, 1913 — Sri Lanka

P. formosa is the same species as P. nallamalaiensis. P. formosa was described by Pocock in 1899, while P. nallamalaiensis was described by Rao et al. in 2006, making P. formosa the older name and thus the senior synonym, and the valid name. GABRIEL, R. 2010. Poecilotheria nallamalaiensis Rao et al., 2006, a junior synonym of Poecilotheria formosa Pocock, 1899

Photos [edit]

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  Poecilotheria subfusca.

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  Poecilotheria metallica

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  Poecilotheria regalis

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  Poecilotheria rufilata

References [edit]