Bacillochilus xenostridulans

Bacillochilus is a genus of African tarantulas that consists of only one species, Bacillochilus xenostridulans. This genus and its sole species were identified by R. C. Gallon in 2010. It is native to Angola. The name "Bacillochilus" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "xénos," meaning "foreign" or "strange," and the Latin word "stridulere," which means "to creak." This name refers to its unique stridulatory organ, which sets it apart from other tarantulas in the subfamily Harpactirinae. This distinctive organ comprises a long scopula surrounded by plumose setae on the retrolateral side of the chelicerae. Additional features that distinguish Bacillochilus xenostridulans include a transverse fovea, multiple lobes on the maxillae and labium, a long distal segment of spinnerets, and the absence of a prolateral cheliceral scopula.