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Jotus sp. South Australia. Undescribed "Tony".

A jumping spider with green anterior median eyes, whose male has large, prominently fringed legs 1 and 2 and banded hairy pedipalps, found on low vegetation in semi-arid lands around Morgan, SA 5320, extending at least to littoral habitats at Thompson Beach SA 5501 and possibly widespread throughout inland Australia. Notionally Jotus, likely an undescribed species (nicknamed "Tony"), and possibly even a new genus, considering the male's unusual palp morphology. Similar genera may include 'Maratus' (ex Lycidas vittatus). The female lacks the enlarged, fringed legs 1 and 2 of the male, is more robust in the body and slightly larger. The female does not have the large prominent lengthways stripe along the abdomen's upper surface seen on the male. Both sexes display a contrasting, light-coloured garland border along the flanks of the head. They are agile climbers, active during the day, and appear to be most abundant and active in Autumn. ♀ 6mm ♂ 5mm

Adult male, facing


Adult male, South Australia
Photo: Mark Newton

Adult male, from above


Adult male dorsal
Photo: Mark Newton

Adult male, from above and side


Adult male, South Australia
Photo: Mark Newton

Adult male, side on


Adult male, South Australia

Adult female, facing, side on


Adult female, South Australia
Photo: Mark Newton

Adult female, facing, side on


Adult female, South Australia
Photo: Mark Newton

Adult female, from above


Adult female, South Australia
Photo: Mark Newton

Palp and epigyne


Photo: Mark Newton

Male palp, showing unusual central sclerite


Palp
Photo: Mark Newton

Cheliceral teeth


Chelicerae1
Photo: Mark Newton

 
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