[1] It was formally described in 2018 from specimens, both male and female, collected on Union Island, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Lesser Antilles.

[2] Hüsser (2018) reported that adult T. rasti specimens were typically found on larger, older trees, utilizing cavities and "knot holes" as retreats, which were lined with silk around the entrance.

[3] The global pet trade in invertebrates, including tarantulas, remains poorly understood and often lacks adequate research and regulation[4].Tapinauchenius rasti (Caribbean diamond tarantula), endemic to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is a species of concern in the international pet trade.

A recent study examined the extinction risks associated with its trade using the COM-B model, which assesses decision-making based on capability, opportunity, and motivation.

This assessment provides a model for evaluating threats from trade to other spider species, promoting sustainable and responsible practices that minimize risks to wild populations.