#maratus volans

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Prancing Peacock Spiders

Maratus volans is perhaps the most widely known member of the genus Maratus, also known as peacock spiders-- part of the jumping spider family-- which contains 108 recognised species. Maratus volans is common across Australia and the island of Tasmania, and occur in a variety of habitats. They are most commonly found among leaf litter and dry vegetation, especially in dunes, grasslands, and sparse deciduous forests.

Peacock spiders like M. volans are extraordinarily small; both sexes only reach about 5 mm (0.19 in) in length. Members of the Maratus genus are famous for the male’s coloration, and M. volans is no exception; the abdomen is covered in brightly colored microscopic scales or modified hair which they can unfold for mating displays. Some males can also change the color of their scales, and the hairs can reflect both visible and ultraviolet light. Female M. volans lack this distinctive coloration, and are a drab grayish brown.

Reproduction for M. volans occurs in the spring, from August to December. During this period, males will approach females and raise their patterned abdomens and third pair of legs for display. He then approaches, vibrating the fan-like tail, and dances from side to side. If a female is receptive, he then mounts her; if not, she may attempt to attack and feed on him. This may also occur post-copulation. In December, the female creates a nest in a warm hollow in the ground where she lays her eggs. Each cluch contains between 6 and 15 eggs, though females typically lay several clutches. Male M. volans hatch the following August, while females typically hatch in September. Both sexes mature quickly and typically only live about a year.

Like other jumping spiders, peacock spiders like M. volans do not weave webs. Instead, they hunt during the day time using their highly developed eyesight. These spiders are also able to jump over 40 times their body length, which allows them to pounce on unsuspecting prey like flies, moths, ants, crickets, and other, much larger spiders. Other spiders are also common predators of M. volans, as well as wasps, birds, frogs, and lizards.

Conservation status: None of the Maratus species have been evaluated by the IUCN. However, it is generally accepted that they are threatened by habitat destruction, like many other insects.

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Photos

Jurgen Otto 2 & 3

[life-on-our-planet]

🦚🕷peacock spider courtship display🕷🦚

Male peacock spiders will attempt to attract mates by using their colorful opisthosomal flaps and waving or vibrating their third legs. An interested female will respond by signaling with her third legs, but if the male persists after the female has expressed disinterest he risks being attacked and even eaten. video © Project Maratus

[angelnumber27]

Maratus volans (Peacock spider)

[artapir]

Pseudo-Egyptian pharaoh figurines from a panspermic seeding zone widely but informally referred to as Salticid Space.

[illusion-of-sea-axes]

Haven’t seen the new Spiderverse movie yet, but I got inspired to revisit my 2018 Spidersona and he has now been revitalized into something much more fun: Flyaway! (Included my first attempt at the Peacock Spidersona)

The ability to use his cape thing as a sort of glider comes from how one of the first specimens of Peacock Spider was claimed to be able to glide/fly with its little flaps. Even though that was later disproven, it’s a fun Spidersona feature! The neon sabers are inspired by the videos of peacock spiders with lightsabers on youtube. I love those.

(I’m still debating how he got his powers, I’ll have to get back to you on that)

[holmosexualitea]

I recently watched the new spiderverse movie and decided to design some spidersonas for Sherlock and John! Sherlock's is based off of a kind of spider called a 'Phidippus audax' and John's on the 'Maratus Volans' (or peacock jumping spider to be simple) !!!

I haven't really come up with a backstory for either of them and I don't know if I ever will but if I do I'll be updating y'all for sure!!

[mutant-distraction]

Maratus volans

Peacock Spider native to Australia

Michael Doe

[consult-sherlockholmes]

Do you have a favorite spider?

Moriarty

That is a difficult question, given that Araneae are so diverse. So determining an absolute favourite is complex.

Concerning venomous spiders, my favourites are of the genus Latrodectus, or widow spiders. Their venom latrotoxin is neurotoxic, it causes a release of presynaptic neurotransmitters, causing muscle cramps, pain, sweating, nausea and difficulty breathing. The females have much bigger venom glands and more venom, bite more often than males, who get eaten after mating, quite a fitting name, widow. The most venomous spider in the world, Phoneutria nigriventer or Brazilian wandering spider is also quite fascinating. It's venom is also neurotoxic, called PhTx3, a calcium channel blocker that inhibits glutamate release and reuptake of glumatate and calcium. This induces paralysis and loss of muslce control, difficulty breathing, severe pain, increased blood pressure and heart rate, vomiting and quite funnily enough priapism. Maybe not that funny. A bit.

Another species of spider that I find quite fascinating are peacock spiders Maratus volans. They have a keen eyesight and developed a special visual system that enables them to sense ultraviolet light as well. They do not use webs, but stalk and hunt their prey. But the most notable characteristic is their fascinating courtship ritual. The males have colourful abdomen flaps, thus the name peacock, which they vibrate, one pair of their legs raised up and clapping, while they dance for the female. Quite endearing. They make vibrating sounds with different patterns, as if to sing as well. Females choose a mate based on the quality of the dance, the visual display, vibrations, as well as eye contact. However, if the female is not pleased, she might attack, kill and eat the male. That could also happen during mating, cannibalising the male. Seems that is a reoccuring pattern in spiders. It is quite a clever strategy, in species where the male does not contribute anything to the rearing of the offspring, at least giving the female a nice meal to give her more energy for the exhaustive task of producing offspring. Maybe humans could learn something from spiders.

So those are my favourite spiders.

[earthboundmusical]

context: the outfit for pokey's big flashy song in the hypothetical stage show of the earthbound musical. i saw it in a dream once so i took it and ran with it. specifically based on/colorpicked from the peacock jumping spider, maratus volans

kinda a draft so its a bit ugly

[iowasi]

2 and 16!

For the "Bugblr Ask Game"!

2. Favorite arachnid

The peacock spider (Maratus volans) is probably my fave!! They just have such cool little capes, and I love watching the videos of them dancing. ;w;

16. A bug you would chose to represent yourself

I honestly have no idea! There's a lot of bugs I think are really cool, but I'm not sure which would would fit my personality best... I am fond of the white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata), however!

(And additionally, when I was "assigned" a Pokesona in high school by a classmate, he picked Vivillon to represent me...)

[xman99]

Maratus volans

[futurebird]

Invertober continues!

IMAGE TEXT:

Invertober 2022 Prompt List:

1. Beyer’s scarab beetle (Chrysina beyeri)

2. Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas)

3. European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis)

4. Bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana)

5. Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor)

6. Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)

7. Green leafhopper (Cicadella viridis)

8. Pacific banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus)

9. American comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi)

10. Atlantic ghost crab (Ocypode quadrata)

11. Common buckeye butterfly (Junonia coenia)

12. Eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera)

13. Bat star (Patiria miniata)

14. Dragon head caterpillar (Polyura athamas)

15. Giant Malaysian leaf insect (Pulchriphyllium giganteum)

16. Fuzzy golden nautilus (Allonautilus scrobiculatus)

17. Japanese oak silk moth (Antheraea yamamai)

18. Arizona bark scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus)

19. Common blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)

20. Oak treehopper (Platycotis vittata)

21. Atlas beetle (Chalcosoma atlas)

22. Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)

23. Salt marsh moth (Estigmene acrea)

24. Pink velvet worm (Opisthopatus roseus)

25. Glass wing butterfly (Greta oto)

26. Peacock jumping spider (Maratus volans)

27. Squash bee (Peponapis pruinosa)

28. Jewel caterpillar (Acraga coa)

29. Zebra isopod (Armadillidium maculatum)

30. Peruvian leaf katydid (Typophyllum erosum)

31. Ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa)

[spiderdaynightlive]

🚨🕷️PSA (Public Spider Announcement)🕷️🚨

To display your Bandai 'Diversity of Life' jumping spider figures in an aerial pose, the stand from the MAFEX Peter B Parker works pretty well!

Some posing advice:

leg pairs 1+2 forward, with leg pair 1 more straight forward (aimed at target), and leg pair 2 a tiny bit more out to the side. To show an unaimed jump, have both pairs 1 and 2 more out to the side.

3+4 back & straightened, since these (iirc which leg generates the most power depends on species) kicked off to jump

Butt flaps tucked in. Yes, the first dude who described the species guessed that the butt flaps were for gliding (hence the species name Maratus volans) but that was another case of the "making up stuff" part of scientific history

[ironheartedfae]

Do you have a favorite animal?

There are many interesting animals. I believe if I were to pick the most interesting to me it would be the jumping spider. Perhaps maratus volans specifically. It is quite colorful, and its introduced dances are lovely to watch.

[anantdrinkingkoolaidd]

Something I wish I could do was meet kwazzi irl, as all octonauts fans wanna do, but I just know it would go HORRIBLY. Bc, we r very different in one way, which changes everything. He hates spiders, I adore them. And bc I cant go 5 seconds without telling people about the trapdoor spider, the cellar spider, or peacock jumping spider (specifically Maratus volans), he would’ve been terrified if we even got through half of a conversation. (I do recommend searching up the spiders I named, same with the sand spider, or I can do a post on them if y’all would like, so tell me if y’all would wanna see that ok toodles)

[seashellblue]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Part 11)

Throwing my old story ideas into the infinite void of the internet! Instead of, you know, deleting them, and throwing them into the infinite void of the digital recycling bin instead.

Click here if you want an explanation that makes more sense.

Wrapping up the story of Royal Spider with a character list, scuffed worldmap, and incomplete dictionary.

Enjoy:

Kura-Juta (Nephila Clavipes)

To train one's entire life for a singular goal is how Kura-Juta lived. She did not laugh, she did not rest, and when the children of the rebellion played, Kura-Juta trained. A ghostly white face that never smiled, Kura-Juta lived only to take back what belonged to her, until everything went wrong. Separated so far from her goal, with it possibly out of her reach forever, Kura-Juta must adapt to a world that went on without her. Over time, the ice around her heart melts in the presence of new and old allies, making her a more balanced ruler when she takes the throne.

Kura-Keto (Nephila Clavipes)

A long time ago there was a fair and just queen, the stories would start, and like all fair and just things, the world struck her down in her prime, they would end. Beloved by all there was know queen more well-known than Kura-Keto, but when her children were slaughtered before they even hatched, she wasted away, supposedly from grief.

Ka-Kiko (Maratus Volans)

While nearly all spiders live in the spider kingdom, Ka-Kiko has never even left the remote part of the insect lands his clan called home. Though he's a traveling performer, he relegated himself to a small corner, on the far end of the continent, where kingdom bugs are a rarity, his only experience of them is with arrogant soldiers looking for Arths that are just trying to escape their pasts and live new lives. An acrobat at heart, he uses his natural talent for judging distance to perform tricks and flips few other could dream of, all while showing off with brilliantly coloured fans that might have a few blades in them, not that he ever told you that. When Kiko meets another spider, one who claims to be a Kura, his curiosity is peaked, either they really are the daughter of the legendary Kura-Keto, or they have the guts to claim to be, either way, Kiko is in for the ride.

Ly-Zida (Latrodectus Hesperus)

Ly-Zida was no one, and she did not care. She had everything she could ever want out of her life, stability, health and a daughter she loved dearly. Zida was different from others, in her child she saw a connection, one that nobody else could understand, she wouldn't abandon her only child, she would protect her at all costs. And then Kura-Keto died, and Vara-Yetn became queen, but Zida didn't care, politics were not her interest, that is, until they had to be. Vara-Yetn wanted soldiers loyal to her and her alone, so she plucked Zura's beloved daughter right out from under her. That is where the legend of the rebellion's leader begins, and under her (metaphorical) wing, Kura-Juta would become more than capable of restoring the world Zida once loved, the one where it was safe to raise a child.

Ly-Quro/Ze-Krea (Latrodectus Hesperus)

Unlike her assassin siblings, Quro remembers what it was like to be out in the world, to interact with others without needing to proforms on their "tests." What, or rather who, she remembers the most clearly is her mother, yet, she can't seem to place her name. In an attempt to search the royal census, for a name that didn't exist (as Vara-Yetn had changed hers from Ly-Quro to Ze-Krea), Quro was banned from a mission, her only chance to escape to the outside world, and her friend Johi was sent instead. Although not extremely resentful (Johi had shown her only kindness, and who knows, perhaps this mission will help him see more clearly) Ze-Krea still waits, hoping that maybe she can meet the person from her warmest memories.

No-Johi (Eriauchenius Workmani)

No-Johi entire life has been training and fighting, he could count the number of times he's seen the sky on one hand. And although his closest friend Ze-Krea always questioned their treatment, he never did. Even if the training, and the punishments were always painful, there had to be a good reason for it, right? No-Johi has little to no social skills, and isn't very good at thinking for himself. When he's paired up with an unknowing Radi to take out his first target, he can barely communicate with him. Over time No-Johi begins to question things, why did they never teach him how to survive in the wild? It's almost as if they didn't want him to be able to live without them. As Radi teaches him about the world, No-Johi begins to see him both as a mentor and a friend.

Vara-Yetn (Misumena Vatia)

Va-Yetn was a nobody from a backwater village that no one remembers. She was never strong enough to fight for herself, to protect herself from others. This breed in her a voracious desire to become powerful and strong, by any means necessary. She would become the most powerful spider of all Ju-Rata, and nobody would take that away from her. Although Va-Yetn wasn't physically strong, she had a wicked mind with a lack of morality that helped her rise through the ranks of the royal court. After becoming Kura-Keto's closest advisor, Va-Yetn took control, and after destroying Keto's eggs, she had a subordinate poison the queen, until nobody was left but her, taking on her kingdom's royal name Ra, becoming Vara-Yetn. In part because of how she gained access to the throne she is paranoid about losing it, leading to restrictive degrees and the training of child assassins, who would be loyal only to her.

Xoru-Ryda (Tegea Atropicta)

Xoru-Ryda is a survivor, world-wise Ryda left his home clan and life of comfort to see the world, even if it sees him as only a foreigner, scavenger, beast. Although never trained, Xoru-Ryda is a powerful fighter, as he's hunted for himself everyday of his life, using a paralytic venom to its fullest effect. When Vara-Yetn offers him an ancient relic of his people, Ryda decides to take her job offer of killing and disposing of Kura-Juta. Yet, when the time comes to finish the job, he just can't do it, he's a traveler, not an assassin, instead he decides to leave her behind, so that she can live, far away from danger.

Ri-Zozi (Micrathena Sagittata)

Ri-Zozi was and is a free spirit, traveling between clans to meet and make friends, but as she grew older, she realized that Vara-Yetn was strangling the kingdom she called home. The paranoid queen nervous personality, which had served her well as an advisor, was causing her to make decisions that put safety of herself over the freedom of her subjects. With all the resources of the crown spent on increasing border security, in anticipation of a cross-kingdom war, along with a suspicious secret project, there was nothing left for the people. In Kura-Juta, Zozi sees the bravery and trust that Vara-Yetn lacks.

Tu-Mora (Centruroides Vittatus)

Tu-Mora's nomad band were one of the few that strayed close to the borders of the spider kingdom. Sneaking out one night, he was captured by the border guards, who believed he was a spy forecasting an attack by the scorpion clans. Imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Mora was later freed by rebels, but due to increased security, they could not sneak him back across the border to his waiting family. With no way back home, Mora chose to work with the rebellion, aiding both Zozi and Juta.

Se-Veli (Osmia Lignaria)

Se-Veli has spent his life as a scribe within the walls of Xawi, as the child of a wealthy merchant family, but he's always dreamed of more, of visiting the foreign lands he's only read about in the books and scrolls of the royal libraries. When his life is put in danger because of a robber fly attack, and he's saved by Kura-Juta and Ka-Kiko, he sees an opportunity to travel the world with them. Sure it'll be dangerous, but isn't everything? And while Juta might protest that they don't need the extra weight, Kiko knows that having a learned and connected insect like Veli is essential.

Lehi-Razu (Apis Mellifera)

Lehi-Razu is as sweet as the honey her kind is known for. Always in the mood for helping other, under her reign the quality of life for bees throughout her kingdom has shot up. Though she travels throughout the bee kingdom, Lehi-Razu's main palace is in Xawi, from there she can manage relations with wasps through their nearby city Parepa, as they are close both in blood and in alliance. Lehi-Razu's biggest fault is that she's perhaps a bit too peaceful, she would avoid a fight, even if it was for the right reasons, if she thought she could, she could never bring herself to send her own people to fight and die for her.

Lyso-Myha (Rhytidoponera Metallica)

After aiding the queen of ants with an outbreak of cordyceps, she promises to send one of her best warriors to aid Juta, her own daughter, in fact. Though, this is not as generous a gesture as Juta may believe, Myha, while trained and raised as all ant princesses are, to be dangerous and worthy, is so far from the throne that even traveling to the kingdom of spiders could not make a noticeable increase in distance. Still, ever-positive, Myha tries to make the best of her situation, if she can help Juta reclaim her kingdom, maybe she can escape the shadow of her parents, and many sisters.

Lyso-Tula (Rhytidoponera Metallica)

Lyso-Tula is queen of the ants, living by a strict code of honor. When an unstart spider enters her kingdom, claiming to have blood ties to her one of her closest friends, Kura-Keto, Kura-Keto refuses to acknowledge it. Not without proof. If Juta truly deserves to be queen, then she will have the virtues of one, patience, humility, and duty.

"Mentor" (Parasteatoda Tepidariorum)

The figure from No-Johi's nightmares, this spider remains a presence in his life long after he leaves the underground citadel in which she trained him. Whenever he doubts his motives, or questions why he is being asked to kill, he need only think of the shadow that stalked him at night, and all the spiders that disappeared under her care.

Ju-Rata Dictionary

A - Ja Abdomen - Nadobene Ahead - Deheda Ant - Tana Antenna - Natonase Antennae - Natonane Appendage - Pedenape Ask - Kasa Asked - Dekasa Assassin - Asanisk Blue - Lebu Bottle - Bolotele Bug - Gubuda Chelicera - Celihera Chelicerae - Celireha Chitin - Tihociho Choice - Hekiko Claw - Cala Compound - Monodoci Crack - Racika Eight - Tegihe Exoskeleton - Xoke Xekone False - Falesu Fang - Fana Fangs - Fanagi Far - Rafa Freak - Fareka Go - Jo Gorge - Roje Guard - Gurada I - Ji Idiot - Tolidi Limb - Limibi Of - Fo Paper - Parepa Pedipalp - Palapedi Pincer - Penaki Poisonous - Sunosa Pun - Nupa Queen - Qunene Read - Reda Script - Sikipeto See - Sese Setae - Setaje Sick - Kessis Tavern - Tavuto The - Hete Thorax - Xorato To/Too - Ko/Kou Warning - Warina Wax - Xawi Welcome - Welomeca Xorato - Thorax