Monocentropus

Monocentropus is a genus of tarantulas that was first described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1897.^[2] As of March 2020^[update] it contains three species, found on Madagascar and in Yemen: M. balfouri, M. lambertoni, and M. longimanus.^[1]

Monocentropus
Monocentropus balfouri
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Monocentropus Pocock, 1897[1]
Type species
M. balfouri Pocock, 1897
Species
M. balfouri Pocock, 1897 – Yemen (Socotra) M. lambertoni Fage, 1922 – Madagascar M. longimanus Pocock, 1903 – Yemen

M. balfouri has many unusual characteristics for a tarantula species, most notably their heightened defensiveness towards humans, gregarious nature with others of their own kind, and strong maternal instincts, with mothers even bringing food to their spiderlings. Their striking blue coloration and tendency to live in colonies make them an attractive, rewarding but challenging and obstreperous-natured pet.^[3]

See also

• List of Theraphosidae species