Tarantula

Tarantulas comprise a group of large and often hairy arachnids belonging to the Theraphosidae family of spiders, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. This article only describes members of Theraphosidae, although some other members of the same suborder are commonly referred to as "tarantulas". Most species of tarantulas are not dangerous to humans, and some species have become popular in the exotic pet trade.

Overview

Like all arthropods, the tarantula is an invertebrate that relies on an exoskeleton for muscular support. Like other Arachnida a tarantula’s body comprises two main parts, the prosoma (or cephalothorax) and the opisthosoma (or abdomen). The prosoma and opisthosoma are connected by the pedicel, or pregenital somite. This waist-like connecting piece is actually part of the prosoma and allows the opisthosoma to move in a wide range of motion relative to the prosoma.

Tarantulas sizes range from as small as a fingernail to as large as a dinner plate when the legs are fully extended. Depending on the species, the body length of tarantulas ranges from 2.5 to 10 centimetres (1 to 4 in), with leg spans of 8–30-centimetre (3–12 in). Leg span is determined by measuring from the tip of the back leg to the tip of the front leg on the opposite side. Some of the largest species of tarantula may weigh over 85 grams (3 oz); the largest of all, the goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) from Venezuela and Brazil, has been reported to attain a weight of 150 grams (5.3 oz) and a leg-span of up to 30 centimetres (12 in), males being longer and females greater in girth.

Tarantula (Faithless song)

"Tarantula" is a song by Faithless, released as a single in 2001 as the third single release from their album Outrospective. The album's previous single had been "Muhammad Ali". It was released as simply "Tarantula" in some countries and the double a-side "Crazy English Summer" / "Tarantula" in others. Tarantula was written by the three members of Faithless. "Crazy English Summer"'s backing track was written by Sister Bliss and Rollo Armstrong and Zoë Johnston wrote and performed the vocals.

In December 2001 the single reached #29 in UK Singles Chart and #53 in Netherlands. In January 2002 peaked #18 in Finland, #49 in Belgium, and #89 in Switzerland.

A sample from "Tarantula" was featured as the theme to the BBC's coverage of the 2002 Fifa World Cup.

Track listing

UK CD1

UK CD2

Tarantula (band)

Tarantula is a Portuguese power metal band established in 1981 and ranked as one of the very first power metal bands, that has played concerts in Portugal and Germany. Members of the band are Jorge Marques (vocals), Paulo Barros (guitar), José Aguiar (bass) and Luís Barros (drums).

Members

Paulo Barros is a Portuguese guitarist, best known for playing with the heavy metal band Tarantula in the 1980s and 1990s in several European countries, along with his brother Luís Barros on the drums.

Paulo Barros solo discography

Discography

Compilations

References

External links