Maratus vespa is a species of the peacock spider genus, Maratus, characterised by its distinctive courtship display.[1] The male spiders are characterized by a bright abdomen, lateral flaps, and an elongated third pair of legs. When attempting to attract a mate, the male spider will raise its colourful abdomen and elongated third pair of legs and wave them, along with extending its lateral flaps. This complex display of courtship is analogous to that of a peacock, hence the common name of this spider species.[2]
| Maratus vespa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Subfamily: | Salticinae |
| Genus: | Maratus |
| Species: | M. vespa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Maratus vespa Otto & Hill, 2016
| |
References edit
- ^ Otto, Jürgen C.; Hill, David E. (22 May 2016). "Seven new peacock spiders from Western Australia and South Australia (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus)" (PDF). Peckhamia. 1 (141): 1–101. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- ^ Girard, Madeline B.; Endler, John A. (2014-07-07). "Peacock spiders". Current Biology. 24 (13): R588–R590. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2014.05.026. hdl:10536/DRO/DU:30071661. ISSN 0960-9822. PMID 25004358.
Further reading edit
- Maddison, Wayne P. "A phylogenetic classification of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae)." Journal of Arachnology 43.3 (2015): 231-292.
- Waldock, Julianne M. "A new species of peacock spider, Maratus proszynskii sp. nov. (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini), from Tasmania, with a review of Maratus in Tasmania, Australia." RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 144.150 (2015): 150.
External links edit
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