| taxon = Phidippus regius
| taxon = Phidippus regius
| authority = [[Carl Ludwig Koch|C. L. Koch]], 1846
| authority = [[Carl Ludwig Koch|C. L. Koch]], 1846
| synonyms =
| synonyms =
* ”Phidippus purpurifer” <small>C. L. Koch, 1846</small>
* ”Phidippus purpurifer” C. L. Koch, 1846
* ”Attus regius” <small>Walckenaer, 1847</small>
* ”Attus regius” ,
* ”Salticus sagraeus” <small>Lucas, 1857</small>
* ”Salticus sagraeus” Lucas, 1857
* ”Cyrtonota regia” <small>Simon, 1864</small>
* ”Cyrtonota regia” ,
* ”Attus miniatus” <small>Peckham & Peckham, 1883</small>
* ”Attus miniatus” Peckham & Peckham, 1883
* ”Phidippus miniatus” <small>Peckham & Peckham, 1888</small>
* ”Phidippus miniatus” Peckham & Peckham,
* ”Dendryphantes regius” <small>Simon, 1901</small>
* ”Dendryphantes regius” ,
* ”Dendryphantes miniatus” <small>Petrunkevitch, 1911</small>
* ”Dendryphantes miniatus” ,
* ”Dendryphantes morsitans” <small>Simon, 1916</small>
* ”Dendryphantes morsitans” Simon, 1916
* ”Dendryphantes variegatus” <small>Franganillo, 1930</small>
* ”Dendryphantes variegatus” Franganillo, 1930
* ”Dendryphantes variegatus” var. ”limbatus” <small>Franganillo, 1930</small>
* ”Dendryphantes variegatus” var. ”limbatus” Franganillo, 1930
* ”Phidippus variegatus” <small>Murrill, 1942</small>
* ”Phidippus variegatus” ,
* ”Phidippus tullgreni” <small>Wallace, 1950</small>
* ”Phidippus tullgreni” Wallace, 1950
* ”Dendryphantes tullgreni” <small>Roewer, 1954</small>
* ”Dendryphantes tullgreni” ,
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=”Revision”>{{cite journal
| synonyms_ref = <ref name=”Revision”
<ref name=”Revision”>{{cite journal
|last=Edwards
|last=Edwards
|first=G. B.
|first=G. B.
|url-status=live
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
””’Phidippus regius””’, commonly called the **regal jumper**, is a species of [[jumping spider]] in the family [[Salticidae]]. It occurs throughout the southeastern [[United States]] and the [[Caribbean]], and is considered the largest jumping spider species in eastern North America.<ref name=”Revision” /><ref name=”UoF”>{{cite web
””’Phidippus regius””’, commonly called the **regal jumper**, is a species of [[jumping spider]] in the family [[Salticidae]]. It occurs throughout the southeastern [[United States]] and the [[Caribbean]], and is considered the largest jumping spider species in eastern North America.<ref name=”Revision” /><ref name=”UoF”>{{cite web
Species of jumping spider in the genus Phidippus
| Orange Jones/sandbox/Pearl | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Orange form adult female P. regius photographed in Orange County, Florida | |
 |
|
| Adult male P. regius photographed in Nassau County, Florida | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Genus: | Phidippus |
| Species: |
P. regius |
| Binomial name | |
| Phidippus regius | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
|
Phidippus regius, commonly called the **regal jumper**, is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae. It occurs throughout the southeastern United States and the Caribbean, and is considered the largest jumping spider species in eastern North America.[1][2]
Taxonomy and evolution
Phidippus regius is a member of the jumping spider family, Salticidae, the largest spider family, with more than 6,000 described species. It belongs to the North American genus Phidippus, a group known for relatively large size, distinctive coloration, and visually complex courtship displays. The species was described in 1846 by German arachnologist Carl Ludwig Koch. Over time it accumulated several alternate names as researchers worked to distinguish species within the genus.[1]
A modern taxonomic review by Edwards (2004) confirms P. regius as a distinct and widespread species, characterized by its robust body, iridescent chelicerae, and the enlarged front legs of adult males.[1] Genetic studies have clarified broad relationships among jumping spider families, but only limited DNA sampling exists for Phidippus, and detailed evolutionary relationships within the genus remain under study. Current evidence suggests that P. regius is closely related to other large, brightly colored species that share similar courtship structures.[3]
Members of Phidippus appear to have diversified in open, sunny habitats where visual signals are especially effective. The bright colors and movements used by male P. regius—including their iridescent mouthparts—likely reflect the role of sexual selection in shaping appearance and behavior.
Description
Adult males average 12 mm (0.47 in) in length (range 6 to 18 mm (0.24 to 0.71 in)). Their abdomen is black with a basal band, a central triangular mark, and two oval spots near the rear. The front pair of legs is enlarged and edged with a black-and-white fringe. The chelicerae (mouthparts) are iridescent green, blue, or violet and each bears a small raised bump.[1][2]
Adult females are larger, averaging 15 mm (0.59 in) (range 7 to 22 mm (0.28 to 0.87 in)). Their markings resemble those of males, but their bodies are covered with dense scales that may be orange, tan, gray, or brown. Female chelicerae are iridescent green or reddish-violet and lack the raised bumps seen in males. Females also have several tufts of hairs around the eyes.[1][2]
Juveniles are pale brown with reddish-brown markings bordered in black. In southern populations, females begin developing scales earlier in life, while males retain a mostly black-and-white pattern until maturity.[2]
Behavior
Phidippus regius uses vision to locate and stalk prey. It aligns itself with short, deliberate movements before making a rapid jump, anchoring itself with a silk safety line.[1][4]
Males perform elaborate courtship displays that combine movement and vibration. These displays help females identify potential mates and distinguish members of their own species.[5]
Both sexes build silk retreats for resting and molting. Females construct larger retreats to house and guard their egg sacs.[2]
Encounters between adults often involve visual displays, and physical conflict is uncommon, consistent with patterns seen in other jumping spiders.[6]
Habitat
P. regius is most often found in open, sunny habitats such as fields, scrub, and light woodland. Adults commonly hunt on tree trunks, fence posts, and building walls. Retreats are built beneath bark, within palm fronds, or inside crevices of wooden structures.[2]
Distribution
P. regius occurs in the southeastern United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles, and has been introduced to Easter Island. In the United States, it ranges from southern Mississippi across North Carolina and South Carolina, with the species most abundant in Florida.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Edwards, G. B. (2004). “Revision of the jumping spiders of the genus Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae)”. Occasional Papers of the Florida State Collection of Arthropods. 11. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: 1–156. Archived from the original on 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ a b c d e f Edwards, G. B. (2021). “Regal jumping spider – Phidippus regius“. Featured Creatures. University of Florida. Archived from the original on 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ Edwards, G. B. (1981). “Taxonomic studies in the genus Phidippus“. Journal of Arachnology. 9: 241–266.
- ^ Taylor, L. A.; Hasson, O.; Clark, D. L. (2011). “Multimodal courtship displays in jumping spiders: visual and vibratory signals in Phidippus regius“. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 65 (10): 1963–1972. doi:10.1007/s00265-011-1212-6.
- ^ Elias, D. O.; Mason, A. C.; Clark, D. L.; Huber, R. (2010). “Vibratory communication in jumping spiders (Salticidae): substrates, signaling, and evolution”. Biology Letters. 6: 387–390. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2009.0913.
- ^ Maddison, W. P. (1996). “Sexual selection and phylogeny in salticid spiders”. Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement. 48: 75–88.
