#peacock spiders

[heartnosekid]

peacock spider (maratus gemmifer) courtship display | wa_peacock_jumping_spiders on ig

[inatarachnids]

Horned-owl Peacock Spider (Maratus bubo)

Observed by reefwild, CC BY-NC

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

The Skeletorus Spider: this species of jumping spider was named after the cartoon villain, Skeletor, because the males are covered in black-and-white markings that make them look like tiny skeletons

The scientific name of this species is Maratus sceletus. It can be found only in Queensland, Australia, where it was first discovered by a PhD student named Madeline Girard back in 2015.

According to Dr. Jürgen Otto, who co-authored the article in which this species was first described:

[Skeletorus] looks dramatically different from all other peacock spiders known to date, making me think that this group is perhaps much more diverse than we had thought.

Jumping spiders of the genus Maratus are famous for their charming and elaborate courtship dances, which differ from one species to the next. You can watch footage of the mating dance for this particular species here.

Sources & More Info:

Sci News: Two New Species of Peacock Spiders Discovered in Australia

Peckhamia Scientific Journal: Two New Peacock Spiders of the Calcitrans Group from Southern Queensland (PDF)

National Geographic: Behold Sparklemuffin and Skeletorus, New Peacock Spiders

Animal Diversity Web: Genus Maratus

[skydarcyedwards]

Edit: weird, this was meant to be a post in the tumblr bugs community, not a post to my blog. It's fine, but strange.

I love bugggssss

A few of my pics. Cabbage white butterfly. Maratus speciosus, the coastal peacock spider. Myrmecia sp. bullant.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

[ljsbugblog]

White Banded House Jumper, male (Maratus griseus).

[143river]

“the worst she could do is say no”

she shoots you with venom and cannibalizes you

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Prancing Peacock Spiders

Maratus volans is perhaps the most widely known member of the genus Maratus, also known as peacock spiders-- part of the jumping spider family-- which contains 108 recognised species. Maratus volans is common across Australia and the island of Tasmania, and occur in a variety of habitats. They are most commonly found among leaf litter and dry vegetation, especially in dunes, grasslands, and sparse deciduous forests.

Peacock spiders like M. volans are extraordinarily small; both sexes only reach about 5 mm (0.19 in) in length. Members of the Maratus genus are famous for the male’s coloration, and M. volans is no exception; the abdomen is covered in brightly colored microscopic scales or modified hair which they can unfold for mating displays. Some males can also change the color of their scales, and the hairs can reflect both visible and ultraviolet light. Female M. volans lack this distinctive coloration, and are a drab grayish brown.

Reproduction for M. volans occurs in the spring, from August to December. During this period, males will approach females and raise their patterned abdomens and third pair of legs for display. He then approaches, vibrating the fan-like tail, and dances from side to side. If a female is receptive, he then mounts her; if not, she may attempt to attack and feed on him. This may also occur post-copulation. In December, the female creates a nest in a warm hollow in the ground where she lays her eggs. Each cluch contains between 6 and 15 eggs, though females typically lay several clutches. Male M. volans hatch the following August, while females typically hatch in September. Both sexes mature quickly and typically only live about a year.

Like other jumping spiders, peacock spiders like M. volans do not weave webs. Instead, they hunt during the day time using their highly developed eyesight. These spiders are also able to jump over 40 times their body length, which allows them to pounce on unsuspecting prey like flies, moths, ants, crickets, and other, much larger spiders. Other spiders are also common predators of M. volans, as well as wasps, birds, frogs, and lizards.

Conservation status: None of the Maratus species have been evaluated by the IUCN. However, it is generally accepted that they are threatened by habitat destruction, like many other insects.

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Photos

Jurgen Otto 2 & 3