Cyriopagopus sp. "Sumatran Tiger"

We are proud to announce that in early spring 2008 our research team uncovered a new species of arboreal asian tarantula. Cyriopagopus sp. "Sumatran Tiger" is a large and colourful arboreal tarantula from the subfamily Ornithoctoninae. At a glance it resembles C. schioedtei, but differs from this close relative on many characters. First of all it is generally darker colored with more bold prominent abdominal markings - hence the tiger in the provisional name. Secondly it is much more robust, with more stout legs than C. schioedtei. It also sports a carapace pattern resembling a dark folium that is conspicuous in postmolt specimens. It is however the males that definitely distinguishes this species from any other of its relatives, as the males are brown with black legs and white leg banding. Much different from the uniform green or beige males with leg striae that is the normal prototype of the arboreal ornithoctoninaes males.

Cyriopagopus sp. "Sumatran Tiger". Young postmolt female with conspicuous carapace folium pattern.

We expect to have this species ready for the hobby in the fall of 2008, so slings should be ready for the fall show in Kornwestheim.

Size:
This is a very large spider with a leg span of 22 cm. and a carapace lenght above 3 cm.

Sexual dimorphism:
So far we are not aware of any sexual dimorphism in subadult specimens but subadult males can be easily sexed by the epigynal fusillae method.

Cyriopagopus sp. "Sumatran Tiger". Fully mature male.

Distribution:
Somewhere in West Sumatra.

Habitat:
Primary lowland and foothill monsoon forest where it lives in hollow trees many meters up. Adult females are almost entirely found in large mature trees, but younger animals can be found behind loose bark, in rock crevices and in man made structures like bridges and board walks.

Care:
Should be offered a hide-away consisting of a hollow log or cork bark tube fitted with an entrance hole. Also important is to fill the hide-away approximately halfway up with loose substrate, which the spider will incorporate with silk to make a snug home. The surrounding substrate should be 5-10 cm. deep and should be kept moist. Day temperatures should be in the range of 25-28 celcius degrees with a drop to 20-22 at night. The annual climatic fluctuations follows that of Padang:

Breeding:
Best time for mating is in the fall. It is common that the female eat or destroy the male after mating and this is usually a sign of a succesful mating. After mating the cage should be dried out for a few months followed by a flooding in late spring/early summer which usually induces egg laying. The egg sac will hatch after 2-3 months and contains between 100-150 spiderlings.

Growth:
We do not have sufficient data to determine how fast this species are growing, but we would assume it to be medium to fast growing like the other arboreal ornithoctonines.

Cyriopagopus sp. "Sumatran Tiger". Fully mature premolt female.

Source :
http://asianarboreals.googlepages.com/cyriopagopussp.%22sumatrantiger%22