Appearance
This spider has urticating hairs, the first to be classified as type VII. These sword-shaped, bristly hairs are used as a defense mechanism by stinging or stabbing. Most other species of tarantulas attack by "throwing" their hairs from a distance. "Kankuamo" hairs cover the entire body and have penetrating tips which will embed themselves into the skin or mucous membranes and cause severe irritation. Humans often experience mild to severe skin irritation or rashes.
Distribution
"Kankuamo marquezi" inhabits Cuchilla San Lorenzo on the northwestern flank of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, at an altitude of 2000 to 2300 m above sea level, in the lower montane wet forest ecozone. The location where it was found mainly consist of shrubs from the families Arecaceae and Chrysobalanaceae. The area is also inhabited by snakes of the genus "Atractus" and frogs of the genus "Atelopus".References:
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