Peacock spiders, belonging to the genus Maratus, are a captivating group of Australian jumping spiders renowned for their elaborate mating dances and vibrant colors. Among these, the sparklemuffin peacock spider (Maratus jactatus) stands out with its unique charm. This article delves into the diet, habitat, and fascinating mating rituals of the sparklemuffin and other peacock spiders.
Peacock Spider Overview
Peacock spiders are not poisonous, only mildly venomous, and males are known for their brightly rainbow-colored bodies and ability to dance during their courtship rituals. They can jump about 10 centimeters, or 40 times as far as their bodies are long. They are not known to bite humans. There are 92 known species of Peacock spider, at present, seven of which were only discovered in 2020! The first one was discovered in 1878. This was Maratus karsch. In 2020, researcher Joseph Schubert found the Maratus azureus, Maratus constellatus, Maratus inaquous, Maratus laurenae, Maratus noggerup, Maratus suae, and Maratus volpei. Maratus volans is yet another species.
Most Peacock spiders have a male which has a brightly colored abdomen, whose third legs are elongated and black. The abdomen on the males has a very flexible pedicel which is the narrow stalk which joins a spider’s abdomen to its cephalothorax, which is the term for the combined head and thorax of spiders, as it is fused in most if not all spiders. Both the longer third legs and the flexible abdomen are used during the mating dances. The colors found on the abdomen are also iridescent. In fact, some of the males are not brightly colored and only have the iridescence.
Habitat and Distribution
These unique spiders are found across the entire southern half of the Australian continent. They live across a wide range of habitats, and because of their hunting habits, many species roam over long distances and different regions. They are found in a variety of habitats, including grassland, woodland, dry scrub, sand dunes, and forests. They prefer areas with leaf litter or grass for hiding but can also be found on sand dunes and in semi-arid deserts.
Maratus jactatus is specifically found in the Wondul Range National Park in southern Queensland.
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Specific Species and Their Habitats:
- Maratus anomalus: New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.
- Maratus jactatus (Sparklemuffin): Wondul Range National Park in southern Queensland, Australia.
- Maratus nigromaculatus: Queensland, Australia.
- Maratus pavonis (Common Peacock Spider): Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.
- Maratus sceletus (Skeletorus): Wondul Range National Park.
- Maratus speciosus (Coastal Peacock Spider): Coasts of Western Australia around sand dunes.
Diet and Hunting Behavior
Unlike most other spiders, Peacock spiders do not build webs. Their diets consist almost entirely of insects and other spiders. They have excellent vision, allowing them to easily locate prey, which they run after and jump on. They hunt during the day, unlike many other spider species. They can see all the colors of the rainbow spectrum, including ultraviolet light, which makes them excellent hunters. They are not picky eaters and will eat almost any insects or other spiders they can catch, sometimes even prey that is larger than they are.
Like other jumping spiders, they rely on their excellent vision to locate and stalk their prey. They attack and kill prey by stalking them undetected before pouncing, much like a cat.
Mating Rituals
Male peacock spiders perform an intricate courtship dance to attract the attention of the females. For "dancing spiders," these courtship displays are not just about looks. They're also a test of the male's coordination and stamina. If the female is impressed, she'll mate with the male.
The Maratus jactatus gets its Latin name from its signature mating rituals. The name jactatus is Latin for rocking. Like other Maratus spiders, the males of the species engage in a courtship display, during which they extend their median and posterior fringed spinnerets.
The Dance
The male spider typically chooses a suitable platform before beginning his dance to give the best possible effect. He expands and raises his abdomen so that it faces the female. He also waves his third legs into the air and drums on the surface with his legs, performing intricate jumps and dance moves. The background of his abdomen is usually a deep black color, which makes the bright colors stand out. The vibrations he makes with his legs also attract females, who can be picky when it comes to choosing a mate.
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Each species seems to have a unique dance. It is thought that different species have developed their own unique dance displays, designed to only please females of the same species. Sometimes this can be done by looking at the colourful patterns on the males but more often this is achieved by observing their mating dances.
Sexual Cannibalism
If the female peacock spider is not interested in the male as they have already mated, she can attempt to kill and feed on him. Even if successful in the dance routine, female peacock spiders do occasionally take part in sexual cannibalism, where they will eat them after copulation. Often males will smartly jump away immediately after mating.
Coloration and Morphology
Maratus jactatus are very small spiders that range from being four to six millimeters in length, similar to the length of a grain of rice. The female has a cryptically colored back, whereas the male has a colorful back. Males have vibrant and unique color patterns, similar to Maratus digitatus and Maratus calcitrans. Maratus jactatus males are set apart from these other species by their opisthosomal flap that extends to cover the opisthosomal plate.
Modified hairs on their bodies form brightly colored, shiny scales in varying patterns and colors of blue, red, yellow, purple, and orange. The purpose of this unusual coloration is to attract females, which seem entranced by the bright patterns and dancing display of the males.
Most Peacock spiders have a male which has a brightly colored abdomen, whose third legs are elongated and black. The abdomen on the males has a very flexible pedicel which is the narrow stalk which joins a spider’s abdomen to its cephalothorax, which is the term for the combined head and thorax of spiders, as it is fused in most if not all spiders. Both the longer third legs and the flexible abdomen are used during the mating dances. The colors found on the abdomen are also iridescent. In fact, some of the males are not brightly colored and only have the iridescence.
Read also: Diet of the Brown Recluse Spider
Life Cycle and Behavior
Peacock spiders are so small that studying their behavior in the wild can be difficult. In fact, there were fewer than ten known species recorded prior to 2011. Over 100 species of peacock spider have been identified since their elaborate courtship dances and bright coloration became more well-known.
Females make their nest underground and stay there to guard the eggs. Females will usually lay their eggs underground or in holes in old wood. They will guard them while covering them in silky thread.
Lifespan
Males hatch in August and can survive through December. Mature females appear later and last later. The spider's lifespan in captivity is unknown due to little research.
Sensory Abilities
Despite their size, peacock spiders are excellent, and extremely agile, hunters. They have eight eyes which give them excellent vision as well as depth perception. Unsurprisingly they also have well developed color vision and are able to distinguish between different shades much like many birds can.
As well as their eyesight, peacock spiders can jump tremendously far, sometimes over 40 times their body length. This allows them to pounce on insects, such as flies, moths, and crickets before they fly or jump away, and also makes them very difficult for predators to catch.
Ecological Role
Peacock spiders play a role in controlling insect populations. They eat small insects such as ants and sometimes other spiders.
Conservation Status
The conservation status of peacock spiders is unresolved due to a lack of defining characters.
Peacock Spider Facts
- Males dance for their lives to attract females.
- Females can take part in sexual cannibalism.
- They get their name from their colorful abdomens.
- They can jump over 40 times their body length.
- Females are less colorful than males.
- They are able to hunt prey much larger than themselves.
- They can see in UV light.
- Female peacock spiders create silken lairs to protect their eggs.
- They don’t spin webs to catch prey.
- Each species seems to have a unique dance.
- Peacock spiders are not dangerous to humans.