Amblypygid

Hello All,
This past Sunday I picked up some Amblypygids and several 2nd instar offspring from a tarantula guy here in Virginia. I knew two things about them: they were amblypygids, and that they were fascinating. The man I purchased them from knew that they were tailless whip scorpions, but otherwise nothing else. In the jar I received were two adults, a gravid female and male, and six 2nd instar (I believe) offspring. In my introductory post, I was told they are likely Phrynus marginemaculatus, which I believe them to be as well. In my research I have found some methods of identifying amblypygids, but am unsure of the quality of the source. Any thoughts?


Female below:


Male on the right:


Thanks,

Sean

Damon variegatus? That's the only one I know. Sorry, just trying to be helpful

I doubt that they are Damon variegatus. D.variegatus are shaped differently than these.
After checking some images, I would also say Phrynus
marginemaculatus.

Yup, they are definitely Phrynus marginemaculatus.

F1refly wrote:

Damon variegatus? That's the only one I know. Sorry, just trying to be helpful

The only other species of amblypygid that is common in the U.S. hobby is Damon diadema.
It's actaually quite rare to find Damon variegatus for sale.
If the animals originated from Tanzania they are almost certainly Damon diadema, as Damon variegatus has only been described at Lake Tanganyika in the Mahale Mountain National Park. A certain distinguishing mark between these two species is located on the ventral side of the pedipalp's trochanter. If two spines are present it will most likely be Damon diadema, if only one is present it could in fact be Damon variegatus (and some other possible species).

Cheers! I'm enjoying them very much already - very fascinating to watch move about their enclosure. Thanks