Maratus sp. B

Otto, Ju. rgen C. & Hill, David E., 2022, Maratus ammophilus, a new peacock spider in the Fimbriatus group from Western Australia (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini), Peckhamia 273 (1), pp. 1-65 : 60

Maratus sp. B "flame"

designated as "flame" by Girard et al. 2021

This species also played an important role in the recent DNA study of the genus Maratus ( Girard et al. 2021) . That study reported the collection of 3 males for Maratus sp. B (designated flame_SA_18C, flame_SA_26C and flame_SA_95C) from Lake Gairdner, Thurlga , South Australia (23.3222°S, 135.8875°E, 30 NOV 2015).

Diagnosis. This species can be recognized from the colours of the adult male ( Figures 48 , 51 ). It resembles a more colourful version of Maratus sp. A , but the underside of legs I and II is dull yellowgreen, and lateral margins of the fan have a fringe of off-white setae that can be expanded during courtship display. As with other members of this group, the male assumes a series of display positions, moving from side to side in front of the female with pedipalps in front of the chelicerae ( Figures 49-51 ).

Figures

Figure 48. Adult male Maratus sp. B "flame".

Figure 49. Sequential frames from a 25 fps video of courtship by an Adult male Maratus sp. B "flame", recorded in the laboratory with a female Maratus of a different species. Note the occasional use of an extended leg III in this display.

Figure 50. More sequential frames from a 25 fps video of courtship by an Adult male Maratus sp. B "flame", recorded in the laboratory with a female Maratus of a different species.

Figure 51. Positions assumed during courtship display by an adult male Maratus sp. B "flame".