Some Jumpers

[deetheturk]

Three different Jumping Spiders from last week. C&C Welcome!

#1

#2

#3

Cheers David

[Geoff F]

Always delightful creatures. All males by the look of them.

[IzzieK]

Some more good ones, David. HOw do you keep these creatures alive? I really beg to know...

[bnnrcn]

David very nice images.#2 looks very curious about something and its fury arms are up too,very nice posture.#3 is just excellent

[deetheturk]

Yes Geoff,they sure are,how can you tell if their male or female?

David

[flashback]

David, all great shots. #2 is rather endearing, big sad eyes, reminds me of a puppy begging for food.

Geoff, I think they are females. Typically on the male, at least one pedipalp will have an enlargement at the distal end. In these pictures the pedipalps are equal and so, I strongly suspect are females.

[deetheturk]

Cheers Izzie,the best way to keep them alive is don't stand on them,all kidding aside I try to shoot all my bugs in the field so to speak,I know some people keep them in the fridge to slow them down a bit making it easier to shoot them,I prefer going out and trying to find them

David

[deetheturk]

Thanks Binnur,I'm glad you enjoyed them

David

[deetheturk]

Cheers Jack,they have to be amongst the cutest spiders,they are my favourite

I'm sure we will sex them between you and Geoff,thanks for the info

David

[ClaudioG]

Great images David, i especially like #3. You always have great images. I also agree with you in field is the best. In fact, i went with my wife to 2 butterfly farms while on holiday. I haven't put any of those images up because it didn't feel like worked for it. Even when i took the images i told my wife i wasn't really enjoying it.

That's why i always look for yours an others images on this site, we all work hard for our images.

[Geoff F]

I'm looking at the size of the pedipalp ends, David, but I suppose if this species naturally has 'hairy pedipalps' in both males and females then Jack could be correct with them being female.

Needs some others for comparison, if some have more distinctly swollen ends to the pedipalps then they are males.

[deetheturk]

Thanks Claudio,appreciate it bud,I totally agree,we do work hard for a decent image,and it can get very frustrating,but when you get a keeper it makes it all worth while

Get the butterfly images on bud,you went to all the bother getting there so that in itself warrants you showing them off

Cheers David

[flashback]

David,
With spiders, they have what are called pedipalps (feelers) in front. On the male, these are are sex organ. Depending on species one or both will have an enlargement on the (distal) end, (think eyedropper or turkey baster). It's used to transfer sperm from an opening on the male's abdomen to a likewise opening on the female's abdomen. They are species specific and fit not unlike a lock and key. So the male will always have at lest one enlarged pedipalp while the female will have none.

[John 2]

Nice set David.

[deetheturk]

Cheers Geoff and Jack,I have seen this on other species of spiders but not Jumpers,but then again I was not looking,doh,from now on I will try and take note,thanks again for your help guys

David

[deetheturk]

Cheers John

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Stagecoach]

All stunning shots again David. I especially like No 2 for the pose and the complimentary background, there's just so much of interest and character with these fellas.

Grahame

[fandango]

excellent photos..i must keep practicing
Jan

[deetheturk]

Thanks John