Cat-like Peacock Spider Maratus felinus Schubert, 2019

(after Schubert 2019): The male of Maratus felinus bears some resemblance to Maratus linnaei by the colour of scales covering the ocular quadrangle area and the dark setae below the anterior median eyes, however, the males lack the heavy cover of long, bristle like setae on legs III. Maratus felinus can be distinguished from other Maratus species by its atypical ovoid-shaped opisthosoma and by the scale patterns on the dorsal opisthosomal plate. Females of M. felinus are similar to other south-western Australian endemics such as M. flavus and identification is problematic without association with a male. The structures of the external male and female genitalia of M. felinus are of no use in distinguishing them from other south-western Australia endemic Maratus species.

• native

• Western Australia