Marpissa

C. L. Koch, 1846

Marpissa is a of (Salticidae) first described by C. L. Koch in 1846. As of July 2024, the genus contains 41 distributed across North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Polynesian Islands, and the Greater Antilles. Species exhibit notable morphological diversity, including the extremely slender M. pikei with elongated first pair of legs used for capture. Visual systems show specialized neural with task-differentiated : principal eyes for object discrimination and for movement , though in M. muscosa appear modified and may not serve movement detection. Complex courtship behaviors have been documented, with M. marina exhibiting multiple courtship and mating tactics including unique abdominal rotary waving displays.

Marpissa sulcosa by (c)
Photographed by G. B. Edwards, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Marpissa bina by no rights reserved, uploaded by Lyn Roueche. Used under a CC0 license.

Marpissa bina by no rights reserved, uploaded by Zygy. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Marpissa: //mɑːrˈpɪsə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

-level identification relies on Salticidae characteristics combined with specific morphological traits. Some , such as M. pikei, are distinguished by extremely elongated, slender bodies with first pair of legs equal to or exceeding body length. Males of M. pikei measure 6–8.2 mm, females 6.5–9.5 mm. Species identification requires examination of and detailed morphological features; taxonomic are available for regional faunas including Bangladesh.

Images

Habitat

varies by . M. pikei occurs in tall grasses, beach grasses, dunes, prairies, and riparian areas with horsetails (Equisetum). M. bengalensis has been documented in citrus orchards. M. marina occupies coastal habitats in New Zealand. Many species appear associated with grassy or where ambush is effective.

Distribution

Widespread across six continents: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Polynesian Islands, and the Greater Antilles. Specific regional records include Bangladesh (M. andamanensis, M. bengalensis, M. calcuttaensis, M. decorata, M. dhakuriensis, M. ludhianensis, M. mandali, M. longinoda), New Zealand (M. marina), and North America from eastern U.S. and southeast Canada west to Nebraska, Arizona, and Colorado (M. pikei). European records include Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Seasonality

M. pikei active from spring through fall, with mature individuals present even in winter in Florida. M. bengalensis completed in approximately 137 days from hatching to maturity under laboratory conditions.

Diet

Predatory, feeding on . captured through ambush and jumping attacks. M. pikei waits in vegetation for insect prey to come within striking distance.

Life Cycle

M. bengalensis: incubation 5–15 days; average 23.8 eggs per ; 73.18% hatching success; spiderlings remain on mother's back 7 days; eight spiderling stages with mean durations of 7.46, 10.23, 19.82, 23.14, 25.86, and 28.08 days respectively; total development from hatching to approximately 137 days. Higher mortality in 3rd and 4th spiderling stages, decreasing to zero by 8th stage.

Behavior

Complex visual and communicatory behaviors documented. M. marina males employ two courtship : visual displays (type 1) for females outside nests, and vibratory displays (type 2) for females inside nests. Three mating tactics: open mating after type 1 courtship; immediate nest mating after type 2 courtship with females; and cohabitation in constructed second chamber on female nests followed by mating after maturation. Unique abdominal rotary waving performed only by males when touching females in nests. Quadrapedal posturing, the most elaborate display, occurs only during male-male interactions. M. pikei uses elongated first legs for capture, not for or jumping; walks on remaining six legs. Highly alert and agile, capable of rapid escape movements.

Ecological Role

Predatory in terrestrial . M. bengalensis was the second most abundant predatory in surveyed citrus orchards, suggesting significant role in agricultural pest control.

Human Relevance

Subject of neurobiological research on visual systems due to specialized and neural . Some , such as M. bengalensis, may contribute to in agricultural settings.

Similar Taxa

Other Salticidae generaShare characteristics but differ in body proportions; Marpissa includes with extreme elongation (M. pikei) not typical of most salticids.
LyssomanesBoth contain slender with elongated legs, requiring careful examination for differentiation.

More Details

Visual System Neuroanatomy

M. muscosa exhibits specialized visual : principal ( ) connect to arcuate body via first and second visual neuropils; anterior and connect to first order neuropils then to two second order neuropils including shared L2; lack second order neuropils and project directly to arcuate body, suggesting they do not detect movement. L2 neuropil may integrate secondary eye information for faster movement decisions.

Sexual Selection and Display Evolution

M. marina's complex display repertoire, including -unique abdominal rotary waving, appears driven by rather than species recognition, as no other salticids share its microhabitat in New Zealand's depauperate salticid fauna.