FAMILY SALTICIDAE

Jumping Spider - Morpsus penicillatus
The family name comes from the Latin word salto, meaning to dance, and describes this family to perfection.  The males perform dances to stimulate the females.  Many species have metallic colours, particularly those from the tropics.  This beautiful species could be considered a tropical spider as its range is from Northern New South Wales to Cape York.
 

Morpsus penicillatus  - male

Morpsus penicillatus  - female with egg sac
 

Jumping Spider - sandalodes albobarbatus
This species was thought to be a nothern and central Australian species, but the range is now extended to take in New South Wales. 
 

sandalodes albobarbatus - male and female
 

Jumping Spider - Myrmarachne striatipes
This species was thought to be a nothern and central Australian species, but the range is now extended to take in New South Wales. 
 

Myrmarachne striatipes - female
 

Jumping Spider - Breda jovialis
This species was thought to be a nothern and central Australian species, but the range is now extended to take in New South Wales. 
 

Breda jovialis - female
 

Jumping Spider - Cosmophasis nicans
This species was thought to be a northern and central Australian species, but the range is now extended to take in New South Wales. 
 

Cosmophasis nicans - male
 

Gliding Spider - Saitis volans
Though a jumping spider, it is better known for its ability to glide.  This is achieved per medium of two "flaps", one on either side of the abdomen where they almost meet in the centre of the ventral surface of the abdomen.  To use these flaps, the spider jumps, then extends the flaps and holds them rigid so that they act as wings and the jump ends as a glide.
 

Saitis volans - male
 

Jumping Spider - Astia hariola
A smaller jumping spider which is strikingly marked, this species is found in New South Wales and Queensland.  It is usually found under eucalypt bark.  The male is the brighter coloured of the sexes.
 

Astia hariola - female
 

Jumping Spider - Sigites scutulata
A small species found in New South Wales and Queensland.
 

Sigites scutulata - female
 

Jumping Spider - holoplatys planissima
A small flat jumping spider, with a body adapted for entering cracks and folds in bark.  It is usually found under eucalypt bark or in the fold of bark, tiny crevices etc. 
 

holoplatys planissima - female