jumping spider

jumping spider
any of several small, hairy spiders, of the family Salticidae, that stalk and jump upon their prey instead of snaring it in a web.
[1805-15]

* * *

 any of about 3,000 species of spiders (order Araneida) known for their ability to jump and pounce upon their prey. They range in size from 3 to 17 mm (0.12 to 0.67 inch), although most are small to medium-sized. They are very common in the tropics, but many also live in northern and even Arctic regions. The hairy body is often brightly coloured or strikingly patterned. Jumping spiders have keen vision for spiders and are active during the day in sunny areas. At night they hide in closely woven nests under bark, stones, or leaves. Several members of the same species often build nests close together.

      Males and females of the species Phintella vittata are able to detect ultraviolet light from the so-called UVB band (315–280 nm) and have specialized surfaces on their bodies to reflect it. The reflection of UVB radiation by males during courtship has been shown to enhance their ability to attract females.

      The minute jumping spiders, family Oonopidae, are found in the tropics in leaf litter and in buildings.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Jumping spider — Jumping Jump ing, p. a. & vb. n. of {Jump}, to leap. [1913 Webster] {Jumping bean}, a seed of a Mexican {Euphorbia}, containing the larva of a moth ({Carpocapsa saltitans}). The larva by its sudden movements causes the seed to roll to roll and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Jumping spider — Taxobox name = Jumping spiders image width = 250px image caption = A tiny spider of genus Sandalodes , approx 10 mm in size regnum = Animalia fossil range = Cretaceous [Grimaldi,D.A. et al. Fossiliferous Cretaceous Amber from Myanmar (Burma): Its …   Wikipedia

  • jumping spider — /ˈdʒʌmpɪŋ spaɪdə/ (say jumping spuyduh) noun a small spider, Cosmophasis micarioides, found in Queensland and the islands of New Guinea, which pounces on its prey …  

  • jumping spider — noun any of very many spiders, of the family Salticidae, that jump from place to place with the aid of a silk tether. Syn: salticid See Also: jump, spider …   Wiktionary

  • jumping spider — noun : a spider of the family Salticidae …   Useful english dictionary

  • jumping spider — noun Date: 1736 any of a family (Salticidae) of small spiders that stalk and leap upon their prey …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • jumping spider — jump′ing spi der n. ivt any of several small, hairy spiders of the family Salticidae, that stalk and jump upon their prey • Etymology: 1805–15 …   From formal English to slang

  • Spider taxonomy — is the alpha taxonomy of the spiders, members of the Araneae order of the arthropod class Arachnida with about 40,000 described species. However there are likely many species that have escaped the human eye to this day, and many specimens stored… …   Wikipedia

  • Spider bite — redirects here. For The Spider Bite urban legend, see The Spider Bite. Spider bite Classification and external resources Chelicerae of a black wishbone (nemesiid) spider, a mygalomorph …   Wikipedia

  • Spider fighting — ( pahibag sang damang in Hiligaynon) is a popular blood sport among rural Filipino children. The game begins by placing two spiders at opposite ends of a stick from a walis ting ting (a broom made from the midribs of coconut leaves). The spiders… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”