Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi explained

Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi is a species of nematode, and is one of only two species known to infect tarantulas. ^{[1] [2]}

History

T. jeffdanielsi was discovered in 2018 when a wholesale breeder noticed white discharge in the mouths of their tarantulas, and strange behavior prior to death. This discharge were the nematodes in the tarantula's oral cavity. ^{[3] [4]}

Biology

The nematodes infect the oral cavity of a tarantula. The host will begin to lose control of its appendages and fangs, causing starvation and a 'tip toe' like walking behavior.^{[5] [6]} The nematodes only infect the tarantula's mouth, suggesting they may feed on bacteria that lives on tarantulas rather than the actual tarantula. ^[7]

Taxonomy

T. jeffdanielsi was named after actor Jeff Daniels for his role in the 1990 movie Arachnophobia.^{[8] [9]}

Notes and References

1. Schurkman. Jacob. Anesko. Kyle. Abolafia. Joaquín. De Ley. Irma Tandingan. Dillman. Adler R.. Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi n. sp. (Panagrolaimomorpha; Panagrolaimidae), a Nematode Parasite of Tarantulas. 2022-01-17. Journal of Parasitology. 108. 1. 30–43. 10.1645/21-42. 35038325. 246352651. 0022-3395.
2. Web site: Brandon Specktor published. 2022-01-20. Parasitic worm forces tarantulas to tiptoe, then starves them to death. 2022-01-29. livescience.com. en.
3. Schurkman. Jacob. Anesko. Kyle. Abolafia. Joaquín. De Ley. Irma Tandingan. Dillman. Adler R.. Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi n. sp. (Panagrolaimomorpha; Panagrolaimidae), a Nematode Parasite of Tarantulas. 2022-01-17. Journal of Parasitology. 108. 1. 30–43. 10.1645/21-42. 35038325. 246352651. 0022-3395.
4. Web site: Brandon Specktor published. 2022-01-20. Parasitic worm forces tarantulas to tiptoe, then starves them to death. 2022-01-29. livescience.com. en.
5. Schurkman. Jacob. Anesko. Kyle. Abolafia. Joaquín. De Ley. Irma Tandingan. Dillman. Adler R.. Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi n. sp. (Panagrolaimomorpha; Panagrolaimidae), a Nematode Parasite of Tarantulas. 2022-01-17. Journal of Parasitology. 108. 1. 30–43. 10.1645/21-42. 35038325. 246352651. 0022-3395.
6. Web site: Brandon Specktor published. 2022-01-20. Parasitic worm forces tarantulas to tiptoe, then starves them to death. 2022-01-29. livescience.com. en.
7. Web site: Scientists discover tarantula-killing worms: New parasite named after actor Jeff Daniels -- ScienceDaily . ScienceDaily . 2022-01-29 . 2022-01-29.
8. Schurkman. Jacob. Anesko. Kyle. Abolafia. Joaquín. De Ley. Irma Tandingan. Dillman. Adler R.. Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi n. sp. (Panagrolaimomorpha; Panagrolaimidae), a Nematode Parasite of Tarantulas. 2022-01-17. Journal of Parasitology. 108. 1. 30–43. 10.1645/21-42. 35038325. 246352651. 0022-3395.
9. Web site: Brandon Specktor published. 2022-01-20. Parasitic worm forces tarantulas to tiptoe, then starves them to death. 2022-01-29. livescience.com. en.