7 Adorable New Peacock Spider Species Discovered

2 minute read
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Bubo, shows off his colourful abdomen. Bubo, is the genus name for horned owls, a reference to the owl-like pattern on this spider's abdomen.
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Bubo, shows off his colourful abdomen. Bubo, is the genus name for horned owls, a reference to the owl-like pattern on this spider's abdomen.Jürgen Otto—Reuters
By Marisa Gertz

Seven new species of peacock spider from the southern coast of Western and South Australia were discovered and named last month, bringing the total number of species discovered up to 48.

Authors, Jürgen Otto, who photographed them, and David Hill, the editor in chief of the journal Peckhamia, have been identifying and naming new spider species since 2005. Thanks to their efforts, there are now 48 species of peacock spider known to science — including the seven new species that were revealed in May’s edition of the journal.

Maratus, or peacock spiders, are a teeny-tiny spider genus in the jumping spider family, endemic to Australia. A full sized peacock spider might only reach about 5mm in body length. Their name refers to the colorful flaps they display during courtship, which has led Jürgen to compare them to birds of paradise, albeit on a miniature scale.

Due, perhaps, to their minuscule size, the spiders were mostly ignored by humans until Jürgen started photographing and filming them. In 2008, he filmed the courtship behavior of one of the little critters. It was the first footage ever of this behavior and the video blew up on YouTube. Today it has close to 2 million views. It even caught the attention of famous British naturalist, David Attenborough, who included footage of the spiders in his documentary series, Life.

The new species include Maratus vespa, M. albus, M. bubo, M. lobatus, M. tessellatus, and M. vultus. In addition, a previously photographed species was given an official name: M. australis.

 

 

A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Bubo, shows off his colourful abdomen. Bubo, is the genus name for horned owls, a reference to the owl-like pattern on this spider's abdomen.
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Bubo, shows off his colourful abdomen. Bubo, is the genus name for horned owls, a reference to the owl-like pattern on this spider's abdomen. Jürgen Otto—Reuters
After seeing a photo of this spider in Western Australia, Jürgen raised this Maratus Lobatus spider from an egg before photographing and identifying it.
After seeing a photo of this spider in Western Australia, Jürgen raised this Maratus Lobatus spider from an egg before photographing and identifying it.Jürgen Otto—Reuters
Maratus Albus was found at the Eyre Bird Observatory in Nuytsland Nature Reserve. It lacks the flaps that differentiate other peacock spiders.
Maratus Albus was found at the Eyre Bird Observatory in Nuytsland Nature Reserve. It lacks the flaps that differentiate other peacock spiders.Jürgen Otto
The name for Maratus Vespa comes from the generic name for wasps, a reference to the pattern on the spider's abdomen, which looks like a wasp's face. M. Vespa performs an elaborate mating dance, which uses the iridescent patches in the center of the fan to attract the attention of a female.
The name for Maratus Vespa comes from the generic name for wasps, a reference to the pattern on the spider's abdomen, which looks like a wasp's face. M. Vespa performs an elaborate mating dance, which uses the iridescent patches in the center of the fan to attract the attention of a female.Jürgen Otto—Reuters
Maratus Tessellatus relies on leg work, as opposed to a flashy abdomen, for its courtship display. Its legs move so fast that in a normal 25 fps video clip, they appear only as a blur.
Maratus Tessellatus relies on leg work, as opposed to a flashy abdomen, for its courtship display. Its legs move so fast that in a normal 25 fps video clip, they appear only as a blur. Jürgen Otto
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock Spider, Maratus Vultus, shows off his colourful abdomen in this undated picture from Australia
Maratus Vultus shows off its colorful abdomen and waves its legs during a mating display.Jürgen Otto—Reuters
A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian Peacock Spider, Maratus Australis, shows off his colourful abdomen in this undated picture from Australia
Maratus Australis was found at a number of different locations in Western Australia. While very similar to another species, Maratus Tasmanicus, it is different enough to be considered separate.Jürgen Otto—Reuters
A juvenile specimen of the recently-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Albus, sits on the nib of a pencil in Western Australia's Nuytsland Nature Reserve.
A juvenile specimen of the recently-discovered Australian Peacock spider, Maratus Albus, sits on the nib of a pencil in Western Australia's Nuytsland Nature Reserve. Jürgen Otto—Reuters

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