Heliophanus transvaalicus

Heliophanus transvaalicus

The family Salticidae are the largest spider family with a worldwide distribution. These spiders are free-living plant dwellers. In general, Heliophanus species are dark brown to black, often with a metallic sheen. H. transvaalicus is approximately 4-5mm in both males and females
Jumping spider (Heliophanus sp.) Quite a large jumping spider body approx 5mm Geotagged,Heliophanus,Heliophanus transvaalicus,Salticidae,South Africa,Summer,arachnids,jumping spiders,south africa,spiders

Appearance

4-5mm males and females. Male is black and the female slightly lighter with yellow palpi.
Spider fight! Two Jumping spider males having a bit of a tiff. There does appear to be a nest or egg sac here so I am hopeful of some little jumping babies! Arachnids,Geotagged,Heliophanus transvaalicus,Jumping spiders,Salticidae,South Africa,Spiders,Summer

Naming

Simon 1901
Jumping spider (Heliophanus sp.) full view Geotagged,Heliophanus transvaalicus,South Africa,Summer,arachnids,heliophanus,jumping spiders,salticidae,spiders

Distribution

Worldwide

Behavior

They do not build webs but often build nests where they moult, oviposit and sometimes mate or which they occupy during periods of inactivity.
Salticids are usually diurnal, cursorial hunting spiders with well developed vision. With their large eyes and complex retinas they have unique resolution abilities unparalleled in animals of similar size. The anterior median eyes allow them to discriminate between objects, for example prey or mates. The smaller enterior lateral eyes detect movement and help the spider to orientate objects.

Habitat

They are found in a wide range of habitats and are common in agro-ecosystems and orchards.

Food

Insects

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa, Ansie Dipenaar-Schoeman. LAPA 2014

http://www.jumpingspiders.co.za/gallery.html#h-link
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilySalticidae
GenusHeliophanus
SpeciesHeliophanus transvaalicus
Photographed in
South Africa