About Aphonopelma iodius (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1939)
Aphonopelma iodius is a tarantula species belonging to the family Theraphosidae, found in the United States, specifically in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. A 1997 publication merged this species with three other previously described species — A. angusi, A. melanium, and A. nevadanum — into a single species under the name "A. iodium". The specific epithet iodius is actually the correct form, since iodius is a neuter comparative adjective. Aphonopelma smithii has also been recognized as a synonym of A. iodius. This species is common in the Mojave Desert west of the Colorado River. In its natural habitat, A. iodius occupies webbed burrows beneath the ground surface in desert areas of California, Nevada, and Utah. Individuals often block the entrance to their burrows with a plug made of silk alone, or a mix of silk and dirt, to protect against heat and predators.
