F1refly wrote: However, let me say here for the record that should I get any offspring, I will not distribute any unless they are to extremely reputable people and that should I leave the hobby I will destroy any remaining hybrids

See, that's just not ok with me. And I object for SO many reasons. All I can do is shake my head.

Each to his/ her own I guess, however:

The reputable people thing doesn't really wash. Life is fluid. Situations change. People die and T's live for very long. It is not inconceivable that a reputable person's hybrids might end up at the local pet shop. If you 'create' a hybrid you create the risk. Period.

Personally I don't like hybrids. I like pure things, or as close to as we can manage in the hobby. Then again I don't like Lamborghini's with custom tiger stripe paint jobs. They exist so obviously some people do.

I know hybrids are inevitable in the wild. My spider shelf is not the wild.

On culling:Sure, there are situations where it is necessary. 'Creating' spiders when you know you have to kill them later is not one of those situations.

Is just my R0.02

The genetics thing sounds very interesting, and any collaboration with NatCon seems very positive. Will they be comparing our locals to WC specimen DNA or captives form other countries?

Dimitri wrote: I think from a scientific point this would be great to document. Following the growth and patterns etc. But there is always a fine line between trusting somebody.

Dave on the other hand is not the type of person to give or sell to just anybody.

I just want to add something else to this. Lets look at this scenario:

Psalmopoeus irminia (Venezuelan Suntiger) and Psalmopoeus cambridgei (Trinidad Chevron) mate together and Psalmopoeus irminia (Venezuelan Suntiger) succesfully lays eggs and they hatch.

Then down the line you mate the same female Psalmopoeus irminia (Venezuelan Suntiger) with a normal Psalmopoeus irminia (Venezuelan Suntiger) male. Now we all know that they can double clutch. My question here is what are the chances that some "sperm" is kept from the Psalmopoeus cambridgei (Trinidad Chevron)
?

If that female has not molted out, and gives you a egg sack after mating her with the P.irminia then the egg sack should be considered a tainted sack and the slings should not leave the owners property.

But as some one who is planing on breeding hybrids you really have to keep your self in check and not go and mess up, all cause you get distracted with life.

Goodness.
This is astounding, F1refly, you're going to hybridize species, hopefully get a sack and "if you leave the hobby you will destroy remaining hybrids". I honestly don't know how to react in a civil way. Call me extreme but creating life through hybridizing and then kill them at the drop of a hat because your interest has come to an end should go against everything tarantula hobbyists stand for. We LOVE creatures that are feared and hated by millions of people and that attitude is a disgrace... And a little militant in my opinion.
If you absolutely HAVE to hybridize you must guarantee that they NEVER fall into the wrong hands and you should be dedicated for life. The 'would-be' hybrids aren't to blame for being created and a death sentence is undue and unjust. in my opinion the "creator" must be dedicated to the whole life of the specimens.
We don't collect stamps, we keep animals and "discard" should not be an option. Hybridizing should be a lesson is responsibility to all that participate, for the love and care of the hobby.

I guess this side of the discussion is not relevant to the topic but jeez does it upset me (and the holistic purist in me) so excuse the rant.

Panama thought of you when I saw this.
And any one else who disagree with the Hybridization of tarantulas.

Panama, I think you are very hardcore purist. kungfu
So a topic like this and comments will really test you with your feelings and thoughts on the suggestions that have been made.

I do understand where you coming from and that you are very passionate about curtain things.
Mainly about the importance of life no matter how big or small.

I also understand where F1 is coming from.
I would rather kill all hybrids or things that have been made in the basement than let it go to someone who gets tired and
gets rid of all the Frankenstein babies anyway.
So in seance he is taking responsibility for he's action and he is looking after the hobby, being purist after the fact. shocked kungfu

To cull, and only keep so many. if you have to think about it, would you wont 80 hybrid slings sitting on some ones shelve or would you like 10? (even though it is wrong in your heart, look at it from a "hybrid breeders" point)
I would go with 10, lot less chance of all those slings getting out there and causing havoc.
So if that is the norm set with hybrid tests, surely that is a better out come in the long run to have a few slings than to have hundreds of them.

At the end of the day, you are passionate about things, which is good we all need something to focus on in our journeys to old age. But often is it something we can can change?