Archive · 6 Aug 2025
New Tarantula Species Evolve Extra-Long Genitals for Mating
Scientists found four new kinds of tarantulas!
These spiders have extra-long parts near their mouths called palps, which they use to mate.
The male tarantulas' palps are the longest ever seen in these spiders.
The scientists think the males evolved these long parts to stay safe while mating because the female spiders can be dangerous.
The new spiders have been given the name Satyrex.
This name comes from a Greek myth character.
The study's name has to do with the size of their genitals.
Scientists discovered four new species of tarantulas in the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa.
These tarantulas have exceptionally long genitalia, called palps, located near their mouths.
The long palps are thought to protect the males during mating with aggressive females.
The new genus is named Satyrex, after a mythological figure, and the study is called “Size matters”.
Dr. Alireza Zamani of the University of Turku led the study, published in the journal ZooKeys.
- Who
- Scientists led by Dr. Alireza Zamani.
- What
- Discovery of four new tarantula species with extra-long genitalia.
- When
- Information not available in the article.
- Where
- Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.
- Why
- The males evolved extra-long genitalia, called palps, for protection during mating with aggressive females.
- New Species
- Four
- Location
- Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa
- Genitalia
- Extra-long palps
- Genus Name
- Satyrex
- Study Title
- “Size matters: a new genus of tarantula with the longest male palps”
- Researcher
- Dr. Alireza Zamani
- Journal
- ZooKeys