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Fig.1) SEQ vibrant fireback huntsman (Beregama cordata)
Not too long ago, on a field trip to Mt Glorious, I collected a fireback huntsman (Beregama cordata) unlike any other documented individual from South East Queensland. Its patterning and colours were much more vibrant than every other south east Queensland specimen.
After this sighting, more and more of the nicknamed "Vibrant SEQ firebacks" have been showing up.
Article written by
James Whitcher
May 2022
Fig.2) Lichen huntsman (Pandaceretes gracilis) guarding eggs
It is unknown why these spiders are so vibrant compared to others from the same area and the same species but what is known is huntsman camouflage being able to adapt with ecdysis. Lots of other species of Australian huntsmen possess the ability to change their appearance depending on their environment. Its not as quick as say a chameleon but within one of these huntsman's life, they can change drastically more than five times.
The most notable adapting camouflage species of huntsman are the lichen huntsmen (Pandaceretes gracilis) from Far North Queensland rainforests. They aren't the largest species but their extreme camouflage makes them almost invisible.
The possibility of adaptive camouflage was dismissed as the specimens in captivity weren't changing back to the drab form once they moulted.
Another theory is that the vibrant fire back huntsmen "make up their minds" of sorts at their first moult then stayed how they are or it could also be just different forms from the same egg sac. There is a species of golden orb weaving spiders (Nephilla pillipes) from far north Queensland that their egg sacs are around 50/50 normal form and red form. Before this was known, arachnologists were nicknaming them "Nephilla rufous" for their red colouration. This could be the answer but only time will tell.
Fig.3) SEQ vibrant fireback huntsman (Beregama cordata) heavily gravid female
The first female collected was paired around a month ago with a male from the same area and currently, the female is looking gravid. With time and a little luck, hopefully in the future we will have the answer.
Email australian.inverts@gmail.com to join the wait list for slings of these amazing species.
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