Maratus sceletus (colloquially named skeletorus)[2] is a species of the genus Maratus (peacock spiders), an Australian member of the jumping spider family.[1] Described in 2015, they have been collected only in Wondul Range National Park in southern Queensland. The species name is derived from the Latin sceletus "skeleton", from its distinctive body pattern.[3] Maratus sceletus is a small species, from 3.7 to 4.7 mm long.[3] The male is black with prominent white stripes and markings across its carapace and legs.[3]
| Maratus sceletus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Subfamily: | Salticinae |
| Genus: | Maratus |
| Species: | M. sceletus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Maratus sceletus Otto & Hill, 2015[1]
| |
Like other Maratus spiders, the males of the species engage in an elaborate courtship display. This involves the male raising his third legs and waving them around, flashing his underside, and sending vibrations to the female spider by shaking his body.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Taxon details Maratus sceletus Otto & Hill, 2015". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
- ^ a b Carrie Arnold (24 March 2015). "Behold Sparklemuffin and Skeletorus, New Peacock Spiders". National Geographic. Archived from the original on November 18, 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Otto, Jürgen C.; Hill, David E. (20 January 2015). "Two new peacock spiders of the calcitrans group from southern Queensland (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryinae: Maratus)" (PDF). Peckhamia. 121 (1). Simpsonville, SC: The Peckham Society: 1–34. ISSN 2161-8526. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
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