The newly identified Persian Gold Tarantula, scientifically named Chaetopelma persianum, was discovered by a local nature enthusiast in the northwestern regions of Iran.
The scientific community has announced the discovery of the Persian Gold Tarantula (Chaetopelma persianum), a previously unknown species found in northwestern Iran. Notably, the “woolly, golden hairs” observed on a solitary specimen were so distinctive that there was no need to study additional specimens to confirm its uniqueness.
The research paper, jointly written by Iranian arachnologist Dr. Alireza Zamani from the University of Turku, Finland, and his Canadian colleague Rick C. West, coincides with Tarantula Appreciation Day on August 8th and has been published in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.
The Persian Gold Tarantula is part of the Chaetopelma genus, a relatively minor genus that is found in Crete, Sudan, and the Middle East. Moreover, it is one of only two tarantula genera present in the Mediterranean region.
This publication not only marks the first instance of this genus in Iran but also the third identified species of tarantulas in the country. Additionally, it expands the known habitat of Chaetopelma spiders by nearly 350 kilometers to the east.
The species’ scientific name, Chaetopelma persianum, honors its Iranian origin, considering that Iran was historically referred to as Persia. The authors have proposed “Persian Gold Tarantula” as an informal name for this species.
This burrowing tarantula makes its home at high altitudes in the lush mountainous areas of the northern Zagros Mountains. The single specimen used to describe the species was discovered in a self-made burrow on a sloping rocky terrain amid scattered low vegetation.
New tarantula species discovery 2023
The discovery journey began with Mehdi Gavahyan, a local nature lover, who captured an image of a wandering male and shared it with Zamani. Recognizing it as a potential new species, Zamani coordinated with Gavahyan and Amir Hossein Aghaei, another nature lover, to collect specimens. However, they were able to collect only a lone female specimen, which later played a vital role in describing the species.
Additionally, with support from local citizen scientists, the researchers obtained photographs of two other males, presumably of the same genus, from nearby locations in Iran and Iraq. However, their exact species identification will require further study.
The researchers emphasized the need for broader investigations using integrative approaches to deepen the understanding of Chaetopelma spiders. They also called for more exploration in lesser-studied or untouched areas like Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, eastern Turkey, and western Iran, as these efforts could unveil additional Chaetopelma species or records, contributing to a fuller grasp of the genus’s taxonomy and distribution.
Image Credit: Shutterstock