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''Maratus volans'' is a species in the jumping spider family, belonging to the peacock spider genus. ==Description== Octavius Pickard-Cambridge, who is credited with the first formal biological description and hence is noted as the person assigning it its binomial name (he originally named it ''Salticus volans''; its name was changed to ''Maratus volans'' by Marek Zabka in 1991), wrote in his first description of it that "it is difficult to describe adequately the great beauty of the colouring of this spider". The red, blue and black colored males have flap-like extensions of the abdomen with white hairs that can be folded down. They are used for display during mating: the male raises his abdomen, then expands and raises the flaps so that the abdomen forms a white-fringed, circular field of color. The species, and indeed the whole genus ''Maratus'' have been compared to peacocks in this respect. The third pair of legs is also raised for display, showing a brush of black hairs and white tips. These legs are also used in a clapping motion to further attract a female's attention. While approaching the female, the male will vibrate his abdomen while waving raised legs and tail, and dance from side to side.〔http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgAbyYDFeg〕〔http://amazinglist.net/2013/02/the-peacock-spider-maratus-volans/〕 Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have colour patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Though a female may witness a male's dance, she could already be carrying eggs or simply not be impressed. If the male continues his dance when the female is not interested, she will attempt to attack, kill, and feed on him (Evans, 1990). If the male is quick enough he uses his ability to jump long distances to escape her, if he is not quick enough he is eaten by the perturbed female. This may also happen even if the female is interested and allows the male to mate with her. The behavior of the female ''M. volans'' suggests why the males have developed unique sexual dimorphic features and courtship behavior (Thornhill, 1984). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Maratus volans」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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