''Mopsus mormon'' is an Australian spider species of the family Salticidae (jumping spiders). It is the sole species in the genus ''Mopsus''. It is found in New Guinea and eastern Australia. It is commonly called the green jumping spider.

Description

At 12 mm (female), this is one of Australia's larger jumping spiders, and very common in Queensland. It also occurs in New Guinea, northern New South Wales, the Northern Territory, northern Tasmania and Western Australia. The males are strikingly coloured and decorated with long white "side whiskers", which rise to a peak surmounted by a topknot of black hairs.Jackson 1983 Females lack the whiskers and topknot, but instead feature a red and white "mask".

Behaviour

This species shows an amazingly complex display repertoire, in some respects similar to that of several '' Phidippus'' species ('' P. johnsoni'', '' P. comatus'') and '' Portia fimbriata''. However, this is likely to be convergent evolution. Alternative mating tactics have been described, depending on the location of the female. If she is away from her nest, a type of courtship common with many other species is observed. If she is found at a nest, probing and other behaviours similar to ''Phidippus johnsoni'' occur. This second courtship seems not to depend on vision. Like many other salticids, the adult lives together with the subadult female in an adjacent nest until it matures, then mates with her inside her nest.

Footnotes

References

* Jackson, R.R. (1983): The Biology of ''Mopsus mormon'', a Jumping Spider (Araneae: Salticidae) from Queensland: Intraspecific Interactions. ''Aust. J. Zool.'' 31: 39-53
Abstract

External links

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q2023913, from2=Q1579349 Salticidae Spiders of Australia Spiders described in 1878