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Introduction to the Theraphosidae

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New World Tarantulas

Part of the book series: Zoological Monographs ((ZM,volume 6))

Abstract

The mygalomorph spiders of the family Theraphosidae, commonly named as tarantulas, are one of the most famous and diverse groups of arachnids, which include the largest spider species in the world. Theraphosidae contains almost 1000 species from all continents, except Antarctica and includes burrowing, terrestrial and arboreal taxa with diverse ecological adaptations and natural histories. Since the description of the family in 1869 their systematics was largely based on the study of morphological characters, and many authors agreed in the chaotic situation of their taxonomy. First phylogenetic studies were also based on morphological characters and molecular studies only started in the twenty-first century. Most authors recognize 12–13 subfamilies in the world; 5 of them occur in the New World. The most diverse subfamily, Theraphosinae includes about a half of the known species of tarantulas. In this chapter we introduce the phylogenetic position of the Theraphosidae within the Araneae, the general characteristics of the tarantulas including taxonomical, evolutionary and biological aspects of the group. We analyze Theraphosidae diagnostic characters and the affinities with other families and discuss the intrafamilial relationships and subfamilial characteristics focusing in New World groups.

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  1. Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias, UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Fernando Pérez-Miles

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  1. Fernando Pérez-Miles
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    Fernando Pérez-Miles

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Pérez-Miles, F. (2020). Introduction to the Theraphosidae. In: Pérez-Miles, F. (eds) New World Tarantulas. Zoological Monographs, vol 6. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48644-0_1

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