BRITISH TARANTULA SOCIETY STUDY GROUP

Administrator:         Richard Gallon postmaster@zezz.demon.co.uk 

Associates:              John & Kathleen Hancock

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the BTS Study Group is to encourage members to actively participate in the study of arachnids. Studies can be undertaken on a variety of subjects ranging from captive maintenance methods to field observations. The only area, which we do not cover, is novel taxonomic research (published material of this nature should restricted to peer-group reviewed professional journals). Typically members publish their results, observations in the Study Group Journal. The Study Group is to offer advice and guidance on the execution of projects. We aim to produce papers, which are interesting to both arachnologists and arachno-culturalists.

Available Journals

Instructions on how to use downloaded files.
Download and extract using win zip to a folder of your choice or double click if they are self extracting files. Open you preferred internet browser and open the titled file or the read_me.htm (on the new version of Macrothele and Chicken spider).

To date the group has produced six journals, which can be purchased from the Administrator (some are also available as free downloads). These are listed below:-

Gallon, R. C. 1994. Observations on Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) in the southern Iberian (14 page report on this hexathelid spider) - price £5.00 or US$10.00 Download the article now (WinZip self extracting file. just download and double click. file 150kb) this file is in html4.

Gallon, R. C. 1994. Habitat and Behavioral details on the Iberian theraphosid of the genus Ischnocolus ( 14 page report on the European tarantula) - price £5.00 or US$10.00 Download the article now (WinZip file 500.28KB (512291 bytes) this file is in html4.

Hancock, J. & K. 1995. Theraphosids and the pooter: Its construction and use (27 essential pages on this useful apparatus) - price £6.00 or US$10.00.

Dunlop, J. 1995. The journal of the British Tarantula Society: Contents for the volumes 1-10. 1986 - 1995 (Want to know what articles to get from the BTS. reference library? Now's your chance!) - Price £5.00 or US$10.00.

Nicholas M. R. 1996. Arana Pollita: The Hunt for the Chicken Spider (16 pages of the tarantula adventure) - price £6.00 or US$10.00 Download the article now (WinZip file 468.92KB (480179 bytes) this file is in html4.

Jope, M. 2000. A Study on the Breeding Behaviour of Baboon Spiders. Download the article now 

All prices include postage and packing to any country. All cheques (£ sterling only) should be made payable to the British Tarantula Society Study Group. Payment can be made in hard currency form (i.e. US $ bills or DM).

Sexing Service

Theraphosids can be sexed positively from the sixth moult onwards, although at this age it is advisable to have the sex confirmed by one or two subsequent skins. The BTS Study Group offers a postal sexing service. Below is the procedure, which should be followed to ensure a prompt trouble free service.

(1) Wrap shed skin in damp tissue paper.

(2) Place this bundle in a sealed plastic bag.

(3) Forward the package to a qualified sexing practitioner (contact the Study Group for a list of such people) including a stamped addressed envelope. The cost for sexing one moult is 50p. This can be sent as a coin securely taped to a piece of card or as a cheque for multiple consultations.

When several skins are sent please ensure that they are labelled so as to avoid confusion.

BTS Sexing Diploma Course

Why not sign-up for the moult sexing correspondence course run by the BTS Study Group?

This correspondence course consists of four units, each divided into two sections. The first section will be on the theory and the second on the practical aspects of sex determination.

No previous knowledge is required as all will be explained step by step.

After completing a given unit, the student will be given some practical tasks to carry out - the sex determination of four test skins. With the four units involved this requires you to sex 16 skins correctly. If a wrong answer is given a replacment skin will be sent. This ensures that each student attains the same acceptable level of proficiency. In this way your progress can be assessed. The unit should then be returned to the administrator. for marking and comments.

The course has a set book “Sex Determination of Immature Theraphosid Spiders from their Cast Skins” by Kathleen and John Hancock referred to as (SDITSCS). This colour book is included in the cost of the course which has now been revised, 1999.

When the four units have been successfully completed the student may take the final exam, the passing of which qualifies members of the BRITISH TARANTULA SOCIETY to recive the BTS. Diploma, they can then have their name added to the register of qualified sexing practictioners.

There is a time limit to this course of two years, but this can br wavered if necessary. However, from the point of view of continuity is in the student’s interest to complete the units at a reasonable rate.

A x2 and x10 hand lens will be needed. these can be obtained from opticians or photographic shops. These simple lens are only capable of dealing with the large adult spiders’ skins. The best possible results can only come from a microscope. The student is therefore advised to obtain such an instrument. Low magnifications are required and the best range is; x10, x25, x50, and x100.  Sometimes such an instrument can be found second-hand.  Do not be lead into buying a model with higher magnifications as the working distance is to small.

The cost of the course is £40.00 (UK) which includes the set book, tutorial units, all test skins and postage.  The course can also be taken by international members of the BTS (please E-mail the administrator for the cost of this).