What is Chilobrachys natanicharum?

About Chilobrachys natanicharum:

• It is a new species of tarantula found in the forests of Thailand.
• It has a “blue-violet hue resembling the color of electrical sparks.
• It derives its colours not from the presence of any blue pigmentation but rather from “the unique structure of their hair, which incorporates nanostructures that manipulate light to create this striking blue appearance.
• These hairs are present on various parts of the spider’s body, including its legs, chelicera (pincer-like mouth appendages), and carapace (upper shell). 
• It is both terrestrial and arboreal – lives within tree hollows.

What is a tarantula? 

• Tarantulas are a type of large, hairy spider belonging to the family Theraphosidae.
• There are over 900 species of tarantulas found all over the world, except for Antarctica.
• They move slowly on their eight hairy legs, but they are accomplished nocturnal predators.
• Adult tarantulas average five inches (13 centimeters) long. When spread out, their leg span is up to 11 inches (28 centimeters).

Q1) What are nanostructures?

Nanostructures are engineered structures with features at the nanoscale — between 1 and 100 nanometers. They include nanotextured surfaces, nanoparticles and nanotubes, as well as more complex nano-scale structures. A nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter. Therefore, nanostructures are the smallest possible structures, as anything smaller would be a simple molecule or atom.

Source: Scientists discover rare, stunning electric blue-coloured Tarantula species in Thailand’s lush jungles

‹ ›