In addition to the genus diagnosis, the following features characterize the species:MALEOriginal description O. P. CAMBRIDGE, 1874:Adult male, length rather above 2 lines. The cephalothorax of this spider is of ordinary form; the thoracic region and sides of the caput are black, with a margin of white hairs; the upper part of the caput between the eyes is banded longitudinally with alternate bands of a soft greyish green and bright scarlet, three of the former to two of the latter; and on the upper part of the thorax are three large spots of white hairs in atransverse row, the lateral spots being considerably the largest: the clypeus, which is retreating, is clothed with numerous fine pale hairs; and the surface of the cephalothorax is furnished with others both pale and dark, and erect. The eyes are in the ordinary position; they form very nearly a square, the fore side being very slightly longer than the hinder one; the small central eye of each lateral row is slightly within the straight line of the other two forming that row, and is also a trifle nearer the hinder than the fore one of these two; the four eyes which form the front row are of a dark shining greenish colour; the two centrals are, like those of most other species of the genus, far the largest; the row is curved, the curve being directed forwards. The legs are moderate in length and strength; their relative length is 3, 4, 2, 1 or 3, 4, 1, 2, the difference between those of the first and second pairs being very slight; they are of a pale yellowish colour, irregularly marked and banded with dark brown, and hairy, numerous short adpressed hairs of a greyish white being mixed with others dark-coloured and erect: the metatarsi of the third pair are furnished with a tuft-like group of bristly black hairs on either side; the tibiae and metatarsi are also furnished with spines. The palpi are short and similar to the legs in colour. The cubital and radial joints are short, the latter being the longest; they are furnished pretty thickly with greyish-white hairs, especially on the inner sides of the radial and on the digital joints; these latter are oval, and of moderate size: the radial joint has a small tapering pointed projection at the extremity of its outer side. The palpal organs appeared to be of very simple structure, and to consist of a largish oval corneous lobe. The falces are small, conical, placed far back behind the frontal margin, and are of a yellowish-brown colour. The abdomen is of an elongated oval form and rather flattened; its upperside is furnished with an epidermis, which is continued laterally on either side to an extent considerably exceeding the width of the abdomen, and of a semioval or elliptical form; the outer portion of this epidermis on either side is capable of being depressed and folded round beneath the abdomen, or elevated and expanded to its full width, after the manner of wings. The whole of the epidermis is densely covered with short scale-like hairs, which give the different tints and hues to the abdomen; the portion which covers the abdomen itself is striped longitudinally for rather more than two thirds of its length alternately with scarlet and greyish green, the latter reflecting brighter green and blue metallic hues; the hinder part is striped transversely, but, except the first of the stripes, not so distinctly, with similar colours; the lateral flaps are of a soft yellowish colour, tinged with olive-green, and each is marked with two somewhat oblique, curved, narrow stripes or lines of greyish green, following nearly the curve of the hinder part of the flap, and thickly fringed with greyish hairs. The underside of the abdomen is of a dull brownish-yellow colour, marked longitudinally, but not very regularly, with dark brown; and the underside of the flap is of a uniform, pale, dull yellowish hue: four small black impressed points form a quadrangular figure near the middle of the upperside of the abdomen; and there are numerous upturned, bristly, black hairs just beneath the fore extremity. It is difficult to describe adequately the great beauty of the colouring of this spider; but the unique lateral flaps or appendages of the abdomen will serve to distinguish it readily from all other at present known Saltici. It is probable, from the great development of these flaps, as above described, that they are sexual; but no doubt the female, when discovered, will have some traces of them more or less developed. Mr. H. H. B. Bradley, of Sydney, New South Wales, to whom I am indebted for examples of this exceedingly interesting and remarkable spider, tells me that he has observed them elevating and depressing the flaps, and also actually using them as wings or supporters to sustain the length of their leaps. That this, as with an analogous appendage in the flying squirrel, should be intended for such sustentation, one could have but little doubt after examining it even in the preserved specimens. It appears to be a very rare spider, Mr. Bradley having been able to procure but three examples (all males in the adult state) during many occasions of special hunting for it. The three examples were all found on one spot near Sydney in the month of October, running and jumping on low plants and flowers. Distribution: Geographical Distribution: Australia & South Pacific. FEMALEDistribution: Geographical Distribution: Australia & South Pacific. |