5 new species of colorful spiders discovered in Australia

Scientists have discovered five new species and subspecies of peacock spiders in Western Australia.

Dr. Jurgen Otto estimates there are now more than 60 species and subspecies of Australian peacock spiders, which are located all across southern Australia.

The peacock spider expert said the five new species were identified using incredibly detailed pictures and videos.

“In most peacock spider species — and the new ones are no exception — the males are strikingly colored and the patterns and colors are very distinctive, making it easy to distinguish one from another,” he told the ABC.

“Cristatus has a pattern on its back that resembles the Union Jack and in addition has eight plumes of white setae (hairs) at its back that no other peacock spider has.”

“Electricus stands out by its striking pattern of parallel red lines that make it look like a circuit board and trigonus can be easily recognized by the white crown at the tip of its abdomen that is not present in any known species.”

Peacock spiders have long captivated the Australian public, with a video of one species mating ritual to attract females going viral in 2015.

Officially known as Maratus personatus — the species name derives from the Latin for masked — the spider was discovered near Albany in Western Australia.

They have a bright blue mask to court females, earning them the nickname “blueface” and are three to five millimeters in length.

But contrary to other peacock spiders, the male spider does not have a fan-like abdomen that it extends while trying to court females, New Scientist reports.
Instead, it relies on its blue mask and white-colored banding around it to lure female spiders.

In their mating ritual to attract females, the male spiders flap their fans and raise a single leg, waving it to attract the female spider’s attention.

The spider was also documented by Jurgen Otto who has been collecting information about different peacock spider species since 2008.