by Karen Griffiths
Also published on Musemalady.com
Also published on Musemalady.com
all images by Jürgen Otto
With dainty legs elegantly raised in signal to mates, the peacock spider (Genus Maratus) is revolutionising how we think about arachnids and charming arachnophobes across the globe.
These tiny spiders, measure just 3mmto 5mmin length are often referred to as ‘cute’ by their admirers, which is not a word people usually associate with spiders. In fact a newly discovered species of peacock spider, Maratus personatus, otherwise known as ‘blueface’ has been dubbed the worlds cutest spider .
These tiny spiders, measure just 3mmto 5mmin length are often referred to as ‘cute’ by their admirers, which is not a word people usually associate with spiders. In fact a newly discovered species of peacock spider, Maratus personatus, otherwise known as ‘blueface’ has been dubbed the worlds cutest spider .
Jürgen Otto, a mite biologist at the Australian Department of Agriculture in Sydney, has been photographing and documenting peacock spiders in Australia since 2008. Previously they have been largely unnoticed, possibly due to their tiny size.
Peacock spiders have long flap-like extensions from their abdomen, which are raised together with the third pair of legs during mating. This mating dance is not unlike the display of a male peacock.
Peacock spiders have long flap-like extensions from their abdomen, which are raised together with the third pair of legs during mating. This mating dance is not unlike the display of a male peacock.
A new species of spider is discovered every day. With nicknames such as ‘Skeletorus’ , ‘Sparklemuffin’ and such charismatic nature we await the discovery of more species eagerly.
In the meantime stay updated with Jurgen Otto’s flickr gallery, youtube channel (Peacockspiderman) and the facebook page for peacock spiders.
In the meantime stay updated with Jurgen Otto’s flickr gallery, youtube channel (Peacockspiderman) and the facebook page for peacock spiders.