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Wikipedia / Psalmopoeus

Psalmopoeus is a genus of the family Theraphosidae containing various species of tarantulas. The genus is native to South America, Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico.

All of these tarantulas are arboreal in nature, Psalmopoeus victori being the first arboreal tarantula of Mexico.

Diagnosis

The species of this genus can be distinguished from all others of the New World by lyra (stridulatory hairs) on the prolateral maxillae, composed of a singular row of chitinous hairlike rods. They also own hairs on the base of the chelicerae, also having short hairs in the retrolateral side of the pedipalp trochanter and femur.

Venom

These species are believed to be relatively venomous, and research in the venom of P. cambridgei shows it to target the same nociceptor as capsaicin, the molecule causing irritation in chilli peppers. These molecules activate sensory cells to send pain signals to the brain. Genetic engineers are working on blocking the receptors that are activated by these molecules.

List of species

, the World Spider Catalog accepted the following species:

Species inquirendaSpecies inquirenda

In synonymy

Nomen dubiumNomen dubium

References