Biology:Phidippus regius

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Short description: Species of jumping spider in the genus Phidippus

Phidippus regius
Phidippus regius 4351.jpg
Orange form adult female P. regius photographed in Orange County, Florida
Phidippus regius 0477.jpg
Adult male P. regius photographed in Nassau County, Florida
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Salticidae
Subfamily: Salticinae
Genus: Phidippus
Species:
P. regius
Binomial name
Phidippus regius
C.L.Koch, 1846
Synonyms[1]
  • Phidippus purpurifer C.L.Koch, 1846
  • Attus regius Walckenaer, 1847
  • Salticus sagraeus Lucas, 1857
  • Cyrtonota regia Simon, 1864
  • Attus miniatus Peckham & Peckham, 1883
  • Phidippus miniatus Peckham & Peckham, 1888
  • Dendryphantes regius Simon, 1901
  • Dendryphantes miniatus Petrunkevitch, 1911
  • Dendryphantes morsitans Simon, 1916
  • Dendryphantes variegatus Franganillo, 1930
  • Dendryphantes variegatus var. limbatus Franganillo, 1930
  • Phidippus variegatus Murrill, 1942
  • Phidippus tullgreni Wallace, 1950
  • Dendryphantes tullgreni Roewer, 1954

Phidippus regius, commonly known as the regal jumper,[2] is a species of jumping spider found in parts of the United States and the Caribbean.[1] It is the largest species of jumping spider in eastern North America.[3]

Description

Adult male P. regius measure 12 mm (0.47 in) long on average, but can range between 6–18 mm (0.24–0.71 in) long. The first pair of legs, which are disproportionately larger in large males, have an alternating black and white fringe. The opisthosoma is black with several white markings on the dorsum - a basal band, a central triangular spot, and two posterior oval spots. The chelicerae are large and iridescent green-blue-violet in color, with a tubercle on each.[1][3]

Adult female P. regius measure 15 mm (0.59 in) long on average, but can range between 7–22 mm (0.28–0.87 in) long. They may exhibit white or orange markings on the opisthosoma similar to the white markings seen in males, but the rest of the body is largely covered with scales which may be brown, orange, tan, gray, or a combination of those colors. The chelicerae are iridescent green or red-violet in color, but lack the tubercles found on the chelicerae of males. Females have several tufts of setae around the eyes that males lack.[1][3]

In southern populations, juvenile females may develop scales as early as the third instar, while males are black and white throughout their life cycle.[3]

Habitat

P. regius is most commonly found in relatively open areas, such as fields and light woodland, with adults usually preferring trees or the walls of buildings as hunting grounds. They build silken nests at night in which to sleep, often in palm fronds or similar areas. Females of the species lay their eggs under the bark of trees, or in secluded spots in wooden structures such as barns.[4]

Distribution

P. regius occurs in the southeastern United States , Bahamas, Bermuda, Greater Antilles, and has been introduced to Easter Island. In the United States, it occurs throughout the Southeast from South Mississippi through North Carolina and South Carolina (most abundant in Florida).[1]

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q310611 entry