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Monocentropus

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Monocentropus
Monocentropus balfouri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Monocentropus
Pocock, 1897[1]
Type species
M. balfouri
Pocock, 1897
Species

Monocentropus is a genus of tarantulas that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897.[2] As of March 2020 it contains three species, found on Madagascar and in Yemen: M. balfouri, M. lambertoni, and M. longimanus.[1]

M. balfouri has many unusual characteristics for a tarantula species, most notably their heightened defensiveness towards humans, gregarious nature with others of their own kind, and strong maternal instincts, with mothers even bringing food to their spiderlings. Their striking blue coloration and tendency to live in colonies make them an attractive, rewarding but challenging and obstreperous-natured pet.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Gen. Monocentropus Pocock, 1897". World Spider Catalog Version 20.0. Natural History Museum Bern. 2020. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  2. ^ Pocock, R. I. (1897). "On the spiders of the suborder Mygalomorphae from the Ethiopian Region, contained in the collection of the British Museum". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 65 (3): 724–774. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1897.tb03116.x.
  3. ^ "Monocentropus balfouri 101: Care, Enclosure, Temperament & More". Beyond The Treat. 2019-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-27.