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Peacock Spider Maratus gemmifer Otto & Hill, 2017

Fauna Portal species: 8633
Family: Salticidae



Diagnosis

(after Otto & Hill 2017): Six other species in the mungaich group have a large central black patch on their fan: M. sarahae, M. karrie, M. mungaich, M. madelineae, M. melindae and M. hortorum. Maratus sarahae and M. karrie both have a wide central black patch on the fan with a blue transverse line at the center and a large black spot at the center of each flap, therefore cannot easily be confused with M. gemmifer. Maratus madelineae also can be easily distinguished from M. gemmifer by having the large unpaired black patch in a more posterior position. The differences between M. gemmifer and the remaining species are more subtle. Maratus mungaich has a small black spot near the centre of each flap, bordered by another spot of bright, blue-white iridescent scales to the rear, whereas M. gemmifer lacks the small black spot and instead has a larger patch of blue-white iridescent scales in this position. Maratus melindae has no spots at all in that position. Maratus hortorum can be distinguished from M. gemmifer by having two blue spots within the central black patch, a feature that also distinguishes this species from all other species in the mungaich group. Maratus gemmifer may also be separated from M. melindae corus by its lack of a more pronounced. dorsomedial white tract behind the eye region.

Linnean Holotype

1 ♂
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Western Australian Museum
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8 September 2016
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Australia
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Western Australia
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Karnup Nature Reserve

Australia

  • Western Australia

Fauna Portal Records

The map shows all records that have been verified as part of the Fauna Portal project and may not represent the true distribution of a species. Specifically, for described species, check the link to the Atlas of Living Australia on this page for potential wider distributions. Fauna Portal Reference specimens and Linnean types are shown in red. If you identified a specimen that exceeds the distribution of an undescribed species as illustrated here, please contact the Fauna Portal team who can assist with the lodgement of the specimen in a public institution and display on the map.


Publications

Otto JC, Hill DE (2017): Five new peacock spiders from Western Australia (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus Karsch 1878). Peckhamia. 152.1: 1 - 97


Volker Framenau, 05 December 2023