Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements: [Biodiversity]

I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.

II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.

III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is II and III.

Let's break down each statement to understand why this option is correct:

Statement I is incorrect: The Peacock tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica), also known as the Gooty sapphire ornamental, is an arachnid (a spider), not a crustacean. Additionally, it is a carnivorous predator that feeds primarily on insects and other small invertebrates, rather than being omnivorous.

Statement II is correct: The species is endemic to India, and its natural habitat is highly restricted. It is found only in a small, degraded area of deciduous forest near Gooty in Andhra Pradesh (Eastern Ghats), making its distribution extremely limited.

Statement III is correct: In the wild, the Peacock tarantula is an arboreal species. It lives high up in tree cavities and under tree bark, where it spins funnel webs to catch prey.

Therefore, only statements II and III are correct.