Four new tarantula species — with massive genitalia — discovered. Take a look
The large arachnids may look like any normal tarantula from first glance — long, sturdy legs, hair covering their bodies and two shorter legs at the front of the body poised to grab unsuspecting prey.
But under a closer inspection, this group of tarantulas has one feature that sets it apart from anything ever discovered before. The male spiders have massive genitalia.
The new species were categorized as a new genus, or group of species that share similar physical and genetic characteristics, according to a study published July 22 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys.
'Based on both morphological and molecular data, they are so distinct from their closest relatives that we had to establish an entirely new genus to classify them, and we named it Satyrex,' study author Alireza Zamani said in an Aug. 4 news release from Pensoft, ZooKeys' publisher.
Satyrex is derived from the Greek legend 'Satyr,' a half-man, half-beast known for 'his exceptionally large genitals,' and the Latin 'rex,' meaning king, according to the study.
The first new species, Satyrex ferox, or the Dhofar black tarantula, was found in burrows at the bottom of shrubs or between rocks in southeastern Yemen and southwestern Oman, researchers said.
Live specimens were photographed and posted in the taxonomy social networking platform iNaturalist, which helped researchers determine its geographic range, according to the study.
'This species is highly defensive. At the slightest disturbance, it raises its front legs in a threat posture and produces a loud hissing sound by rubbing specialized hairs on the basal segments of the front legs against each other,' Zamani said in the release.
It is also the largest of the four new species, reaching about 5.5 inches across, researchers said.
The male palp, or the male genitalia, reach a length of nearly 2 inches long, making the genitalia longer than the front portion of the tarantulas body, and almost as long as its longest legs, researchers said.
These massive palps, also seen in the other three new species, are the longest ever seen in tarantulas, and may give the males some extra protection from their female partners, according to the study.
The long genitalia 'facilitate copulation while minimising the risk of cannibalism, as it allows the male to position himself slightly away from the female rather than directly beneath her,' according to the study.
The other new species include the Arabian black tarantula, Satyrex arabicus, the Somali blonde tarantula, Satyrex speciosus, and the Somali dwarf tarantula, Satyrex somalicus, researchers said.
All of the species are fossorial, meaning they build burrows in the sand and dirt around shrubs and rocks in their various regions.
The Arabian black tarantula and the Somali dwarf tarantula were named for their countries or origin, respectively, while the Somali blonde tarantula was named for its light and 'beautiful' coloration, according to the study.
Another tarantula, Satyrex longimanus from Yemen, was also grouped into the genus, despite being originally described under a different genus in 1903, according to the release.
'Satyrex longimanus, despite also having an elongated palp, was formerly classified in the genus Monocentropus, where the male palp is only about 1.6 times the length of the carapace and well within the typical range of 1.5 to 2 times seen in tarantulas,' Zamani said. 'The much longer palps of S. longimanus and the four newly described species were among the primary characters that led us to establish a new genus for these spiders, rather than place them in Monocentropus.
'So yes, at least in tarantula taxonomy, it seems that size really does matter,' Zamani concluded.
The research team includes Zamani, Volker von Wirth, Přemysl Fabiánek, Jonas Höfling, Pavel Just, Jan Korba, Alice Petzold, Mark Stockmann, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi, Miguel Vences and Vera Opatova.
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Miami Herald
7 hours ago
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Four new tarantula species — with massive genitalia — discovered. Take a look
Residents of the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa are no strangers to tarantulas, but four newly discovered species in the region are changing the way researchers look at this group of spiders. The large arachnids may look like any normal tarantula from first glance — long, sturdy legs, hair covering their bodies and two shorter legs at the front of the body poised to grab unsuspecting prey. But under a closer inspection, this group of tarantulas has one feature that sets it apart from anything ever discovered before. The male spiders have massive genitalia. The new species were categorized as a new genus, or group of species that share similar physical and genetic characteristics, according to a study published July 22 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. 'Based on both morphological and molecular data, they are so distinct from their closest relatives that we had to establish an entirely new genus to classify them, and we named it Satyrex,' study author Alireza Zamani said in an Aug. 4 news release from Pensoft, ZooKeys' publisher. Satyrex is derived from the Greek legend 'Satyr,' a half-man, half-beast known for 'his exceptionally large genitals,' and the Latin 'rex,' meaning king, according to the study. The first new species, Satyrex ferox, or the Dhofar black tarantula, was found in burrows at the bottom of shrubs or between rocks in southeastern Yemen and southwestern Oman, researchers said. Live specimens were photographed and posted in the taxonomy social networking platform iNaturalist, which helped researchers determine its geographic range, according to the study. 'This species is highly defensive. At the slightest disturbance, it raises its front legs in a threat posture and produces a loud hissing sound by rubbing specialized hairs on the basal segments of the front legs against each other,' Zamani said in the release. It is also the largest of the four new species, reaching about 5.5 inches across, researchers said. The male palp, or the male genitalia, reach a length of nearly 2 inches long, making the genitalia longer than the front portion of the tarantulas body, and almost as long as its longest legs, researchers said. These massive palps, also seen in the other three new species, are the longest ever seen in tarantulas, and may give the males some extra protection from their female partners, according to the study. The long genitalia 'facilitate copulation while minimising the risk of cannibalism, as it allows the male to position himself slightly away from the female rather than directly beneath her,' according to the study. The other new species include the Arabian black tarantula, Satyrex arabicus, the Somali blonde tarantula, Satyrex speciosus, and the Somali dwarf tarantula, Satyrex somalicus, researchers said. All of the species are fossorial, meaning they build burrows in the sand and dirt around shrubs and rocks in their various regions. The Arabian black tarantula and the Somali dwarf tarantula were named for their countries or origin, respectively, while the Somali blonde tarantula was named for its light and 'beautiful' coloration, according to the study. Another tarantula, Satyrex longimanus from Yemen, was also grouped into the genus, despite being originally described under a different genus in 1903, according to the release. 'Satyrex longimanus, despite also having an elongated palp, was formerly classified in the genus Monocentropus, where the male palp is only about 1.6 times the length of the carapace and well within the typical range of 1.5 to 2 times seen in tarantulas,' Zamani said. 'The much longer palps of S. longimanus and the four newly described species were among the primary characters that led us to establish a new genus for these spiders, rather than place them in Monocentropus. 'So yes, at least in tarantula taxonomy, it seems that size really does matter,' Zamani concluded. The research team includes Zamani, Volker von Wirth, Přemysl Fabiánek, Jonas Höfling, Pavel Just, Jan Korba, Alice Petzold, Mark Stockmann, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi, Miguel Vences and Vera Opatova.
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By 2000 BCE, domesticated horses had spread to regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Europe, revolutionizing agriculture, warfare, and transport. Their speed and strength made them invaluable for travel, trade, and conquest. Horses are known for their powerful build, elegant posture, and intelligent eyes. They belong to the species Equus ferus caballus . Adult horses typically stand between 14 to 17 hands high (a 'hand' equals 4 inches), and they weigh between 900 to 2,000 pounds, depending on the breed. Mane and tail : Long, flowing hair used for protection against insects and weather. : Long, flowing hair used for protection against insects and weather. Hooves : Strong keratin-based structures that protect the feet and support weight. : Strong keratin-based structures that protect the feet and support weight. Teeth : Adapted for grinding grasses, showing both age and gender characteristics. : Adapted for grinding grasses, showing both age and gender characteristics. Eyes and ears: Large eyes provide a wide field of vision, and their ears can rotate 180°, helping them detect sound from all directions. Horses are herbivores, primarily grazing on grass, hay, and grains. Their digestive systems are specially designed for constant grazing. There are hundreds of horse breeds across the world, each suited for different tasks — from racing and riding to farming and ceremonial use. Horses are broadly categorized into three types: These are agile and fast, often used for riding and racing. Examples include: Arabian : Known for endurance and spirit. : Known for endurance and spirit. Thoroughbred : Famous for horse racing. : Famous for horse racing. Quarter Horse: Skilled in sprinting and Western riding. Strong and muscular, these are ideal for pulling heavy loads: Clydesdale : Iconic for parades and advertisements. : Iconic for parades and advertisements. Percheron : Popular in farming and forestry. : Popular in farming and forestry. Shire: One of the largest and strongest breeds. Smaller in height but strong and sturdy. Ideal for children or mountainous terrains: Shetland Pony Welsh Pony Hackney Pony Each breed has unique traits in terms of temperament, speed, strength, and color. Few animals have shaped human history like the horse. They have been our allies in war, agriculture, exploration, and sport. In Warfare Before tanks and trucks, horses were the engines of war. From Genghis Khan's Mongol cavalry to the Napoleonic Wars, horses carried warriors into battle and pulled artillery across battlefields. The bond between a soldier and his horse was often one of mutual respect and survival. In pre-industrial societies, horses were critical to plowing fields, transporting goods, and maintaining trade routes. The invention of the horse collar in medieval Europe improved efficiency and helped increase crop yields. Horses allowed people to explore vast new territories — from the American West to the Silk Road. They helped shape national identities and cultural myths, such as the cowboy in the United States or the gaucho in Argentina. Throughout cultures, the horse has symbolized many virtues: freedom, power, nobility, and grace. From ancient myths to modern films, horses occupy a sacred place in our imagination. Greek mythology features Pegasus , the winged horse of the gods. features , the winged horse of the gods. In Hinduism , the sun god Surya rides a chariot pulled by seven horses. , the sun god rides a chariot pulled by seven horses. Native American tribes revered horses as sacred and powerful companions. revered horses as sacred and powerful companions. In Chinese astrology, the Horse is one of the 12 zodiac signs representing energy, intelligence, and independence. Horses also feature prominently in art, literature, and folklore. Think of the poems of Anna Sewell's 'Black Beauty', or the noble warhorse Bucephalus of Alexander the Great. Horses are not just powerful animals — they are also emotionally intelligent. Scientific studies have shown that horses can: Recognize human facial expressions. Respond to tone of voice. Remember positive and negative experiences. Develop strong social bonds with humans and other horses. Horses communicate through body language, such as the positioning of ears, tail movement, and facial expressions. Their ability to sense fear, calmness, or excitement in their rider is remarkable, making them ideal for therapy and emotional support. Equine-assisted therapy is gaining popularity for treating conditions such as: PTSD Autism Spectrum Disorder Anxiety and Depression Physical disabilities The calming nature of horses, combined with the need for focus and balance during riding, helps individuals build trust, confidence, and emotional resilience. Although they are no longer central to transport or agriculture, horses still play vital roles today: Horse racing : A billion-dollar global industry. : A billion-dollar global industry. Show jumping , dressage , and eventing : Popular Olympic sports. , , and : Popular Olympic sports. Polo and rodeo events: Display skill, speed, and control. Many people keep horses for pleasure riding, trail riding, or simply as pets on rural properties. Horses are still used in royal parades, military funerals, and cultural festivals, where their beauty and training are showcased with pride. Owning a horse is a big responsibility and requires: Proper shelter : A stable or barn with adequate space. : A stable or barn with adequate space. Regular feeding : Hay, grains, clean water, and occasional supplements. : Hay, grains, clean water, and occasional supplements. Veterinary care : Vaccinations, dental checks, and hoof care. : Vaccinations, dental checks, and hoof care. Exercise : Horses need space to roam and daily movement. : Horses need space to roam and daily movement. Grooming: Brushing the coat, cleaning hooves, and bathing. The cost of horse ownership is high, but the emotional reward and companionship are priceless for many. Horses can sleep standing up thanks to a system of tendons and ligaments. thanks to a system of tendons and ligaments. The fastest recorded sprint by a horse was 55 mph (88 km/h) . . A horse's heart weighs about 9–10 pounds . . Horses have larger eyes than any other land mammal. than any other land mammal. They can see nearly 360 degrees around them due to eye placement. With advancements in technology and transportation, the role of horses has changed — but not diminished. They remain symbols of strength, beauty, and freedom, and continue to play an important role in sports, therapy, conservation, and education. More awareness is also being raised about equine welfare. Non-profit organizations around the world rescue abandoned or abused horses, promote ethical treatment, and educate people about responsible care. The horse is more than just an animal — it is a legacy, a friend, and a partner in humanity's journey through time. From battlefields to therapy centers, from ancient myths to modern races, the horse continues to stir our emotions and ignite our imagination. Whether you admire their strength, ride them for joy, or simply watch them graze peacefully in a field, horses deserve our respect and care. In their eyes, we see history, hope, and the unspoken bond between species that have stood side by side for centuries. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
