Jumping Spiders
Description
Salticids have a unique and recognizable form. With a large pair of anterior median (central, forward-facing) eyes, most jumping spider species are considered exceptionally cute, even by people uncomfortable with spiders. They can also be distinguished by their behavior: they are the only spiders that regularly jump. Their movement can range from slow, mechanical walking to a series of short hops to longer jumps across gaps.
In addition, they are highly active and curious. If approached gently, they may take the time to look a human in the eye and try to observe it back. (They do not necessarily understand they are looking at a large eye, though.) They can still be skittish if startled or threatened, but otherwise they are almost always on the move, examining their surroundings. As active hunters, they continually seek prey, mates, or shelter.
Jumping spiders have exceptional vision. Even though all spiders have six or eight eyes, most actually have very poor vision; Salticidae on the other hand has vision better than many creatures orders of magnitude larger.
Further, salticids display remarkable intelligence in their hunting behaviors. Some have even been observed planning approach routes that break line of sight, something normally not expected of a creature with such a small brain.
The Salticidae family is also the largest of all spider families. Jumping spiders are extraordinarily successful and visually diverse. They are beloved for their rich coloration and the delightfully complex courtship behavior of many species.
Species
- Anasaitas canosa (6 images)
- Habronattus coecatus (2 images)
- Hentzia palmarum (1 images)
- Metacyrba taeniola (4 images)
- Phidippus clarus (3 images)
- Platycryptus sp. (2 images)
Anasaitas canosa
"Twin Flagged Jumping Spider"
Description
A small jumping spider with black, white, and grey coloration. Its name is a reference to mirrored pairs of white spots found on its pedipalps and dorsal prosoma, making this spider easily identifiable. First legs are mostly black; other legs have more pronounced splotches or banding of grey and black. This species has a wider stance than many other jumping spiders.
Notes
A very common jumping spider in central Texas, Anasaitas canosa is found from Mexico to the American Southeast.
Images of Twin Flagged Jumping Spider
Habronattus coecatus
Description
Though males of genus Habronattus are quite colorful and are called "paradise spiders", females are largely grey and indistinct. H. coecatus happens to have the plainest females commonly found in my area, making the images below a likely but uncertain identification.
Images of Habronattus coecatus
Hentzia palmarum
"Common Hentz Jumper"
Description
Highly sexually dimorphic. Males have long, dark first legs and broad white bands around their brown bodies, as well as large pedipalps white white bands. Females are mostly a pale tan color with less distinct first legs.
Images of Common Hentz Jumper
Metacyrba taeniola
Description
Very dark brown to black overall. Below the femurs, the legs are red-brown. The first legs are robust and more black. A thin white line circles the prosoma and two broken white lines mark the opisthosoma.
Notes
Appearance is similar to other species of Metacyrba, but can be distinguished by the shape of the white markings and the leg coloration, as well as being larger. Sometimes considered to have two subspecies, M. taeniola taeniola and M. taeniola similis.
Images of Metacyrba taeniola
Phidippus clarus
"Brilliant Jumping Spider"
Description
This species is brightly colored, but males and females have very different colorations. Males are mostly black, with vivid blue chelicerae, red opisthosoma markings, and white leg bands. Female coloration is a combination of orange, brown, and tan. Both morphs are covered in short hairs giving a fuzzy appearance.
Images of Brilliant Jumping Spider
Platycryptus sp.
Description
The two members of this genus in question bear similar markings - rough-edged, grey or tan mottled bands down the center of the opisthosoma and prosoma; and solid, dark flanks on the opisthosoma. Legs are mottled light and dark greys. Bodies of all Platycryptus are very hairy and flatter than most jumping spiders.
Notes
Two similar species, P. undatus and P. californicus, are difficult to tell apart, although their range has little to no overlap. However, this specimen was found in West Texas, where neither range appears to extend.
Images of Platycryptus sp.
