maratus volans
peacock spiders (maratus spp.) endemic australia. peacock spider males extend brilliantly coloured fans , wave legs in display female partners. fans flaps , fringes on sides of abdomen, folded away, inflated , spread wide when displaying. presently australian peacock spiders assigned 2 genera, maratus karsch 1878 , saratus otto & hill 2017. whereas single species of saratus has been described, genus maratus includes diverse variety of @ least 59 described species endemic australia.
the anomalus group includes relatives of m. anomalus can distinguished presence of blunt, bifurcated apex of outer ring of embolus above shorter, sharply pointed inner apex of male pedipalp. female epigynum has heavily sclerotized (darker) ducts @ lateral , medial posterior margin of each fossa.
the calcitrans group distributed in eastern australia many colourful species. davies , Żabka (1989) figured male m. ottoi vicinity of brisbane, did not give name. distributed species m. plumosus, first found near sydney. male m. plumosus atypical of group, feathery plumes extends rear above elevated , partly expanded fan. males of other species in group inflate spinnerets display females. members of group have asymmetric display in alternately extend or kick 1 leg iii 1 side, other leg iii other side.
the chrysomelas group includes widely-distributed m. chrysomelas , closely related m. nigromaculatus known southern coast of queensland. m. chrysomelas can found in arid interior , tropical north. fimbriatus group has been found @ number of locations in grazed interior of new south wales. closely related m. licunxini collected @ carnarvon station homestead in interior of queensland. these spiders quite different other known maratus, , display includes use of extended legs i. harrisi group includes 2 closely related species lobate or rounded flap on either side of fan. discovery , later rediscovery of m. harrisi stuart harris subject of award- winning documentary entitled maratus: documystery.
maratus mungaich jean hort
the mungaich group endemic southern part of western australia, includes species wide, brightly-coloured fans covered pattern of bright red scales on background of iridescent scales. males in group extend legs iii, several (m. avibus, m. bubo, m. caeruleus, , m. madelineae) closely bracket fan legs iii display. pavonis group centered around maratus pavonis. spicatus group includes 3 small species. males rear colourful fan , wave side side not extend legs iii display females. tasmanicus group includes 2 closely related species, 1 southeastern , 1 southwestern. males have large triangular fan lobate flaps, each flap bearing large black spot. velutinus group have velvety-black fan elongated, black dorsal scales. volans group contains 3 of colourful peacock spiders. males of 3 species have large, fringed fan distinctive figures consisting of pigmented scales on background of iridescent scales.
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