title: A new iridescent tarantula of the genus Thrigmopoeus Pocock, 1899 from Western Ghats, India.
abstract: A distinctive new species of ground burrowing tarantula from Western Ghats endemic genus Thrigmopoeus is described from Kerala State, India. Thrigmopoeus psychedelicus sp. nov. differs from putative species of the genus in the adults being black overall with a metallic blue lustre on the carapace and abdomen. Females of Thrigmopoeus psychedelicus sp. nov. exhibit polychromatism. Juveniles and sub-adults are paler with vibrant maroon colouration on its abdomen whereas adult females are much darker and lack vibrant colouration as sub-adults.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Karnataka, Bangalore 560065, India.
authors.forename: Rajesh V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Sanap
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Karnataka, Bangalore 560065, India. Electronic address: snakeszeeshan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zeeshan A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Mirza
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002965:Classification; D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D013112:Spiders / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: New species; Polychromatic; Spider; Tarantula; Theraphosidae