Satyrex ferox is one of four newly identified species of tarantula whose males have unusually long genitalia. (Image credit: Zamani et al. 2025 (License: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0))
Scientists have had to create an entirely new genus of spider because four new species of tarantulas have genitalia so long that they cannot be classified into any existing category.
Researchers speculate that males developed this impressive structure to keep a safe distance from aggressive females, who are known to eat their partners during mating.
The male tarantulas' genitalia are typically 1.5 to 2 times longer than their head and thorax combined. But a new study shows that the new spiders' palps — specialized appendages for carrying sperm during mating — are four times longer than their upper bodies and nearly half as long as their longest legs.
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