| Poecilotheria | |
|---|---|
| |
| Poecilotheria formosa | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Poecilotheria Simon, 1885[1] |
| Type species | |
| Mygale fasciata | |
| Species | |
|
16, see text | |
Poecilotheria is a genus of tarantulas native to India and Sri Lanka. It was first described by Eugène Louis Simon in 1885.[2] They are arboreal tarantulas, commonly known as ornamental tarantulas,[citation needed] known for their vivid color patterns, fast movement, and potent venom compared to other tarantulas. As of 2019[update] all species are protected under CITES.
The genus name is a combination of the Ancient Greek "poikilos" (ποικίλος), meaning "spotted", and therion" (θηρίον), meaning "wild beast".
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
WSC_g3413was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Simon, E. (1885). "Matériaux pour servir à la faune arachnologiques de l'Asie méridionale. I. Arachnides recueillis à Wagra-Karoor près Gundacul, district de Bellary par M. M. Chaper. II. Arachnides recueillis à Ramnad, district de Madura par M. l'abbé Fabre". Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France. 10: 1–39.