Jumping spider

Fact Box Species: Opisthoncus parcedentatus (QM) or a closely related species (Note: This species exhibits substantial variations in markings and so is often confused with some other Opisthoncus species. ALSO SEE NOTE BELOW!) Family: Salticidae Body length: female: 7-9 mm male: 6-7 mm Habitat: Sometimes seen resting on the green leaves of shrubs and low trees but more commonly found in its silken retreat among green leaves Toxicity: Unknown; may at least produce local pain but probably will only bite if trapped

Its retreat Front view Side view Underneath female A lighter specimen The same species? The same species? O. mordax male

NOTE: A salticid which appeared to be an almost mature female of this species was recently observed to moult into an adult male identical in appearance to the male of Opisthoncus mordax, an example of which is shown above. This observation plus the fact that it appears that only males of O. mordax and females of O. parcedentatus have been found in the field strongly suggests that the spider originally named Opisthoncus mordax in 1880 by L. Koch was actually the male of Opisthoncus parcedentatus, the female of which Koch also named in 1880. This also explains why males of O. mordax are often found in the vicinity of the retreats of females of O. parcedentatus and have similar abdominal markings.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Opisthoncus polyphemus and Opisthoncus species.