Phidippus arizonensis

(G.W. Peckham & E.G. Peckham, 1883)

Phidippus arizonensis is a in the Salticidae. Despite its name, it is not known from Arizona. Males average slightly over 9 mm in body length and exhibit a metallic -black coloration with a distinctive entirely fringe of hairs on the legs. Females are larger, reaching up to 13.4 mm, and have a yellowish appearance with spots and stripes on the . The has been documented as a probable state record in Colorado, expanding its known range.

Phidippus arizonensis by (c) David Hill, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Phidippus arizonensis 9645 by David Hill. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Phidippus arizonensis 2850 by David Hill. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Phidippus arizonensis: /ˈfɪdɪpəs ˌɛrɪzoʊˈnɛnsɪs/

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

Identification

The entirely fringe of hairs on the legs of males is diagnostic for this and not found in other Phidippus species. Females may be distinguished from other Phidippus by the combination of yellowish coloration with spotted and striped abdominal pattern. Similar species include other Phidippus , but these lack the specific leg fringe coloration and male color pattern.

Images

Appearance

Males average 8.35–10.02 mm in body length; females 9.02–13.36 mm. Males display a vaguely metallic -black color. The fringe of hairs on the legs is entirely , a trait unique to this within the . Females have an overall yellowish appearance with spots and stripes on the .

Habitat

Historical collection records indicate this is most often found in the understory of oak woodlands at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. The Colorado Springs record came from a sandstone ridge dominated by stunted Gambel's Oak shrubs.

Distribution

United States (Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) and Mexico. Despite the specific epithet, the has not been documented from Arizona. A 2013 record from Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 6,025 feet elevation, represented a probable state record and range extension.

Seasonality

Activity period not well documented. The Colorado record was from late October. Mature individuals have been observed in autumn.

Behavior

Observed ascending tree trunks in oak woodland understory. One individual was documented stalking () by moving beneath and out of sight of the quarry, demonstrating typical salticid stealth hunting .

Similar Taxa

Phidippus octopunctatusAnother Phidippus with western U.S. distribution, but males have silvery gray coloration rather than metallic -black, and lack the entirely leg fringe.
Phidippus asotusOverlaps in elevation range (5,000–7,000 feet) and general , but males are pale orange rather than -black, and neither sex has the diagnostic leg fringe.

Misconceptions

The specific epithet 'arizonensis' incorrectly implies occurrence in Arizona; the has not been documented from that state.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The was originally described as Attus arizonensis by Peckham & Peckham in 1883 before transfer to Phidippus.

Conservation status

A 2013 Colorado record suggested the may be undercollected rather than genuinely rare; distribution records remain sparse.