Ceratogyrus comparisons

[Ceratogyrus]

Messing around with an app on the iPad.

Comparison between a few Ceratogyrus species.
The top one is what lots of people in the hobby have as sanderi. The spider is found outside of the known sanderi range though, so it's either a variation of sanderi or else it is possibly a new species. It has a double band underneath the abdomen, but I have seen them with a single band before. The horn protrudes above the carapace, but is much smaller than brachycephalus' horn. Currently referred to as Ceratogyrus "hobby form"
The second one is sanderi according to R.Gallon's last revision. It has a double subabdominal band and a sunken rectangular horn that does not protrude above the carapace. This one is from Zimbabwe, but the sanderi from Namibia have a single band and a slightly raised horn.
The 3rd one is C.brachycephalus. Always has a single band and large protruding horn that extends almost to the eyes.

Seems there is a lot of confusion in the hobby when it comes to these 3 species.

 

[Lawrence b]

Thanks for the input will refer back to this when I require one .

 

[Ceratogyrus]

Thanks for the input will refer back to this when I require one .

No problem.
Ceratogyrus is obviously my favorite genus (Did my username give that away?), so shout if you need any advice on any facet of keeping them, etc.

 

[Lawrence b]

How forms are there of the C.Brachycephalus , yea your username gives it all away. I ve only got one Ceratogyrus Marshalli so far .

 

[Ceratogyrus]

How forms are there of the C.Brachycephalus , yea your username gives it all away. I ve only got one Ceratogyrus Marshalli so far .

Not sure if you were asking how many forms of brachycephalus there were?
If that's the question, then there is only the usual brachycephalus. I have seen variations in colouration and horn size though, but all the same species.
Ceratogyrus are awesome. A pity there are only 2 hobbyists in South Africa (that I know of) that have permits to keep these. So between myself and the other guy, we you don't often see these.

 

[Lawrence b]

Yea sorry about that should read my post before I posted it , but your answer has covered everything.How come you got have permits , are they being over harvested . Thanks for your help .

 

[Ceratogyrus]

They were put on permit in the 80's I think after a guy was caught exporting 100's of adult females out of the country.
To get a permit now you need a valid reason to keep them like education or research.
I used to do educational talks at schools and shopping centers during my free time, so after 2 years of 'service' and a few letters of recommendation, they issued me with a permit. That was in 1998 I think.
The permits are very specific though, so mine only allows for me to keep the spiders.
There are separate permits needed for collecting, transporting, breeding, exporting, etc.
Currently they are not issuing permits to private people, so doubt any other hobbyists will get anytime soon.
We were working on trying to get a captive breeding program worked out to supply the SA market and then the overseas market with captive bred spiders, but seems we have gotten stuck in some government red tape.
So for the moment, there are only the 2 hobbyists that I know of with permits...

 

[Tongue Flicker]

C.sanderi is actually expensive here. C.darlingi & marshalli are the numerous ones in our trade and they are almost "unwanted" to an extent by the general population. Sad reality due to excessive supply.

Anyways, great read

 

[Ceratogyrus]

And pretty sure that most sanderi are actually this hobby form thing.
I was hoping to introduce some proper brachycephalus into the overseas hobby, but with the permit thing falling through, looks like it won't happen.
Just wait till you see the undescribed Ceratogyrus species that will hopefully be described in the next few years. Stunning animals!

 

[Lawrence b]

So how are the Ceratogyrus entering the hobby or are the not collected anymore. And dont give up on trying to get permits .

 

[Ceratogyrus]

So how are the Ceratogyrus entering the hobby or are the not collected anymore. And dont give up on trying to get permits .

All illegal exports. Majority are coming from Mozambique though where marshalli, darlingi and this hobby form specimen are from.

 

[Lawrence b]

Right thats a shame , are all the baboon spiders collected in this way. Marshalli, Darlingi are common in the hobby now and I think bred.

 

[Ceratogyrus]

They are definitely being bred more in captivity now, so the pressure is off of wild stocks I think. But from the species in the hobby you can see where they were originated from

 

[Lawrence b]

Yes and thanks for the info its nice to know were they come from .