i'm sorry i don't really want to start a new topic, as this does have some bearing in what i'm trying to find out.. i am very new to this and have had a tarantula for less then a week a Brachypelma vagans (MEXICAN REDRUMP).

But do not quite understand the terminology for example what is the spp. that is referred to after the names. Is it an abbreviation for family?

If so does this mean that according to the act mentioned the tarantula i have is illegal? why i'm asking is i do not want to get into trouble with the law.

Hi Vash and welcome.

Binomial nomenclature or scientific names (sometimes also called Latin name although most of it is Greek and made up words consisting of place names and last names) is pretty easy once you get your head around it.

Brachypelma vagans (Ausserer, 1875) refers to Genus Brachypelma, species vagans described by Auserer in 1875

Brachypelma spp would mean all the species in genus Brachypelma .

Sometimes species in the same genus have interbred so heavily that clear distinctions cannot be made, or the genus has been identified but not the species, so people would refer to Hysterocrates sp. (gigas) or Avicularia sp.

Your Brachypelma vagans is not a local spider so, unless you live in Western Cape it's completely legal (for now).

i have so many questions but for now will be browsing this forum and looking for the answers before i ask questions. thanks for the fast response

No problem.

Have a look over here for a great starting point.

Enjoy!

As far as I could ascertain, according to Schedule 6 of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 2009 (Act 9 of 2009) and its Regulations, all tarantulas are classified as invasive species and are illegal to possess. So the Western Cape has a partner...

Our regulations are so diverse and contradictory. I can find no basis whatsoever for the classification of tarantulas as invasive species. Obviously the definition of tarantula as used in this legislation does not include baboon spiders, as they are indigenous - unless they invaded successfully a while ago before the knee-jerk reactionary types wrote the legislation. This means that it is not illegal to possess baboon spiders (African theraposids) - however, these would be considered to be exotic, and therefore you need a permit. However, all venomous exotic spiders are also listed as invasive, therefore exotic baboon spiders are also illegal. Indigenous baboon spiders, which are not classified under Schedule 1 as specially protected, can be kept if you have a permit, as they are classified as common indigenous animals.

Did you know there is an element called tarantulum? see wackypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Tarantulum

I think Vash is maybe referring to an example like Avicularia Sp. Guyana or Avicularia Sp. Peru.

From what I've heard, the "Sp." (usually said 'spek') refers to the locality from which that specie was found. If a wild caught T could not be correctly identified as an already describes specie it will adopt the Sp. Followed by the region from which it came.

Not too sure how Lampropelma sp. Borneo Black got its sp. so maybe I'm completely misinformed.


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