New electric blue tarantula species discovered in Thailand

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Science break.
Entomologists in Thailand have been stunned by an electrifying new species of tarantula found in the southern part of the country. The blue coloration in animals is a relatively rare phenomenon that evolved independently at least eight times. pic.twitter.com/Msaqv7mnq9

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“In 2022, the bamboo culm tarantula was discovered, marking the first known instance of a tarantula species living inside bamboo stalks. Thanks to this discovery, we were inspired to rejoin the team for a fantastic expedition, during which we encountered a captivating new species of electric blue tarantula,” researcher Dr. Narin Chomphuphuang said.

“The first specimen we found was on a tree in the mangrove forest. These tarantulas inhabit hollow trees, and the difficulty of catching an electric-blue tarantula lies in the need to climb a tree and lure it out of a complex of hollows amid humid and slippery conditions. During our expedition, we walked in the evening and at night during low tide, managing to collect only two of them,” Narin said.“

phys.org/news/2023-09-jewel-forest-electric-blue-tarantula.html

h/t A Deplorable Neanderthal