Jumping Spiders of Canada
Christopher M. Buddle* & David P. Shorthouse**
| *Department of Natural Resource Sciences McGill University, Macdonald Campus 21,111 Lakeshore Road Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Québec H9X 3V9 Email: chris.buddle(at)mcgill.ca Profile |
**Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9 Email: dshorthouse(at)eol.org Profile |
Introduction
Although jumping spiders are rather small (3–10 mm), they are among the most beautiful and delightful of all arthropods. The late, great naturalist J.H. Fabre, whom we consider the father of our passion for things small, mistakenly overlooked the jumping spider. He wrote of the black-bellied tarantula, the Narbonne lycosa, and the crab spider, but neglected this most congenial spider family (Fabre 1916). The most obvious character of the family Salticidae is a pair of disproportionately large eyes. Because of this, people feel compelled to assign them human behaviours. As their Latin name and common name imply, they are agile jumpers and can reach distances of up to 16 cm.
Salticids are easily distinguished from other spiders by their unique eye arrangement, habitus, general behaviour and mode of prey capture. Their eight eyes are arranged in three rows. The middle two eyes in the front row are the largest, giving jumping spiders acute binocular vision unmatched by other invertebrate visual systems. The carapace of jumping spiders is elevated and, in addition to other parts of their bodies, is often stout and covered in fine hairs or scales. Salticids are generally sexually dimorphic. Males can be remarkably coloured from metallic blues and greens to brilliant crimson. Females, on the other hand, tend to be dull brown or grey. Examples are displayed in Wayne Maddison’s Salticidae web page. One of the most beautiful jumping spiders found in Canada, Habronattus decorus (Blackwall), has bright blue iridescent scales on its cephalothorax and rose-coloured scales on its abdomen. Some salticids are exceptional ant-mimics; they appear to have three body segments and they elevate a pair of legs to simulate insect antennae. Canadian examples of salticid ant-mimics include Peckhamia picata (Hentz), Synageles canadensis Cutler, and S. noxiosus (Hentz).
Jumping spiders are skittish and deftly maneuver to maintain a close watch on pencils, probes, and fingertips. They stalk and pounce on their prey with catlike patience and precision. These spiders do not rely on webs to capture prey, but spin silk for drag lines, egg cases, and retreats. Jumping spiders are diurnal, sun-lovers. On a bright day, they can often be found perched on tree bark, blades of grass, shrubs, and other well-lit places. In cloudy or rainy weather, they withdraw inside silken retreats.
Globally, Salticidae is the most diverse spider family. This is especially evident in the tropics where their diversity is unmatched. Of the 34,000 described spider species, 4,000 to 5,000 are jumping spiders (Coddington and Levi 1991; Bennett 1999). Of the estimated 1,400 spider species in Canada (Dondale 1979; Bennett 1999), 8%, or 110 species, belong to the family Salticidae. Surprisingly, an estimated 20% of Canada’s salticid fauna remain undescribed (Dondale 1979) and distribution records are sparse.
Given the interest in biodiversity research in Canada, and the prevalence of spiders in field collections of invertebrates, a comprehensive identification guide to the jumping spiders of Canada is desperately needed.
Project Objectives
We aim to produce an identification guide to the jumping spiders of Canada. In pursuit of this goal, our first objective is to compile an annotated species list. This list will include synonymies, distribution records organized by province and territory, citations to the original and revised species descriptions, and notes regarding the species’ taxonomic status.
In light of the taxonomic difficulties within the Salticidae, we hope to encourage collaboration with other jumping-spider enthusiasts. Initially we will create a web-based format for the identification guide. This will allow us to update changes, add to the species list, and include new records. Photographs and visual aids will be linked to taxonomic keys. Once North American Salticidae systematics have stabilized, our long-term goal is to publish The Jumping Spiders of Canada in a format similar to Agriculture Canada’s Insect and Arachnids of Canada series.
Progress
Approximately 110 species are listed on the web page, and this list is growing. British Columbia has the highest diversity of jumping spiders, followed by Ontario and Saskatchewan (Table 1). Records from eastern Canada, however, are lacking and the low number of species from this region likely reflects limited records rather than low diversity.
To date, 26 genera have been recorded for Canada. The most species-rich genera include Habronattus (19 species), Pelegrina (11 species), Phidippus (9 species), and Sitticus (9 species). Nine genera are represented by a single species.
We have contacted many arachnologists throughout Canada and the U.S.A. and have been encouraged by their enthusiastic response. However, we would appreciate any additional ideas and suggestions. The success of this project depends on obtaining jumping spiders from across Canada.
The next time you climb a tree, sit on a rock, clean your windowsill, or wander through a sunny meadow, please keep an eye out for jumping spiders. Hopefully, unlike J. H. Fabre, you won’t overlook these lively gems.
References
Bennett, R.G. 1999. Canadian spider diversity and systematics. Newsletter
of the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) 18:16-27.
Coddington, J.A. and H.W. Levi. 1991. Systematics and evolution of spiders (Araneae).
Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 22: 565-592.
Dondale, C.D. 1979. Araneae. pp. 247-250 in H.V. Danks (Ed.), Canada and
Its Insect Fauna. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 108. 573
pp.
Fabre, J.H.. 1916. The Life of the Spider. A. T. de Mattos (trans.). Dodd, Mead
& Company, New York.
Table 1. Preliminary estimates for the number of jumping spider species (Araneae: Salticidae) found in Canada.
| Province/Territory | Number of Species |
| Newfoundland | 13 |
| Nova Scotia | 16 |
| New Brunswick | 14 |
| Prince Edward Island | n/a |
| Quebec | 33 |
| Ontario | 44 |
| Manitoba | 36 |
| Saskatchewan | 38 |
| Alberta | 31 |
| British Columbia | 45 |
| Territories | 19 |
| Female Phidippus sp. (photograph by C.M. Buddle) |
Frontal view of Phidippus sp. (photograph by D.P. Shorthouse) |
 |
|
Here is our most up to date list of Salticidae species in Canada (March, 2000):
| Genus | species | Authority | synonomies | Prov./Terr.* |
| Admestina | tibialis | (C.L. Koch, 1846) | A. wheeleri | ON |
| Admestina | wheeleri | Peckham & Peckham 1888 | same as A. tibialis? | MB |
| Ballus | youngii | Peckham & Peckham 1889 | Attidops y. | QC |
| Bianor | aemulus | (Gertsch, 1934) | Sassacus a. | ON, MB, SK, AB, QC |
| Chalcoscirtus | alpicola | (L. Koch, 1876) | Euophrys a., Ch. montanus | YT, SK |
| Chalcoscirtus | carbonarius | Emerton 1917 | AB, YT | |
| Chalcoscirtus | glacialis | Caporiacco 1935 | YT | |
| Dendryphantes (Metaphidippus) | cf. unicus | ? | SK | |
| Eris sp. | BC | |||
| Eris | flava | Peckham & Peckham 1888 | Dendryphantes | ? , ON |
| Eris | marginata | (Walkenaer 1837) | BC, AB, SK | |
| Eris | militaris | (Walckenaer, 1837) OR (Hentz, 1845) | E. marginata, Attus m., Paraphidippus m., Philaeus m., Phidippus molinor | CAN |
| Eris | nigromaculata | (Keyserling, 1885) | Icius, Dendryphantes jeffersoni | QC, YT, BC |
| Euophrys | erratica | (Walckenaer, 1826) | ?-Holarct. | |
| Euophrys | monadnock | Emerton 1891 | ON, MB, NB, NS, SK, AB | |
| Evarcha | hoyi | (Peckham & Peckham, 1883) | E. falcata hoyi, Euyphyrys leucophaea, Attus hoyi, Pellenes hoyi | NL, SK, AB, BC, (CAN?) |
| Habrocestum | parvulum | (Banks, 1895) | Saitis | ON, QC |
| Habrocestum | pulex | (Hentz, 1846) | Attus, Saitis p. Cyrba p., | SE CAN, NS, ON, QC, NL?, MB |
| Hentzia | mitrata | (Hentz, 1846) | Wala m., Attus morigerus | ON, QC |
| Hentzia | palmarum | (Hentz, 1832) | Wala p., Icius palmarum | ON |
| Maevia | inclemens | (Walckenaer, 1837) | Attus vittatus, M.v., Attus niger, Astia v., Plexippus undatus, M. penicillata | QC, MB |
| Marpissa | formosa | (Banks, 1892) | Marpissa f., Menemerus binus, Pseudicius b., Hyctia b. | QC |
| Marpissa | grata | (Gertsch, 1936) | ON | |
| Platycryptus | californicus | (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) | Metacyrba californica | BC |
| Platycryptus | undatus | (De Geer, 1778) | Marpissa u., Marptusa f. Marpissa f., | ON, MB, QC, NS |
| Pelegrina | sp #3 | BC | ||
| Pelegrina | sp #4 | BC | ||
| Pelegrina | aeneola | (Curtis, 1892) | Dendyphantes bifida | ? (West?), BC, AB, AK |
| Pelegrina | arizonensis | Peckham & Peckham 1901 | Dendryphantes a., | SK, AB |
| Ghelna? Metaphidippus? | canadensis | (Banks, 1897) | Dendryphantes c. | QC |
| Pelegrina | clemata | Levi & Levi 1951 | SK, AB, BC | |
| Pelegrina | exiguus | (Banks, 1892) | Dendryphantes virginis, M. v. | ON |
| Pelegrina | flaviceps | (Kaston, 1973) | ON | |
| Pelegrina | flavipedes | (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) | Dendryphantes | NL, NS to YT |
| Pelegrina | galathea | (Walckenaer, 1837) | Crytonota g., Phidippia g. Dendry. aestivalis, D. capitatus, Attua nubilus, D.n., M.n., D. ornatus | ON, QC, NS |
| Pelegrina | helenae | (Banks, 1921) | BC | |
| Pelegrina | insignis | (Banks, 1892) | M. montanus, Dendry. | NB, ON, MB, SK, AB |
| Metaphidippus | mannii | (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) | Attus imperialis, M.I. Sitticus I. | BC |
| Pelegrina | montana | (Emerton, 1891) | NL to NT, BC, YT | |
| Pelegrina | proterva | (Walckenaer, 1837) | A. aestivalis, Dendry a. D. atopodon, A. capitatus, D.c., M.c., etc. | NS, QC, ON, SK, MB, BC |
| Metaphidippus? | vittis | (Cockerell, ?) | BC | |
| Neon | ellamae | Gertsch & Ivie 1955 | MB | |
| Neon | nelli | Peckham & Peckham 1888 | CAN | |
| Neon | reticulatus | (Blackwall, 1853) | BC, YT, ? | |
| Paradamoetas | fontanus | (Levi, 1951) | Icius f., Eris f. | ON |
| Peckhamia | picata | (Hentz, 1846) | Synemosyna, Synageles p. | ON, MB, QC |
| Peckhamia | scorpionia | (Hentz, 1846) | ? | |
| Pellenes | sp #15 | nr. peninsularis | SK | |
| Pellenes | sp #16 | nr. wrighti | SK | |
| Pellenes | ignifrons | (Grube, 1861) | YT, ? | |
| Pellenes | levii | Lowrie & Gertsch 1955 | YT, ? | |
| Pellenes | ignifrons | (Grube, 1861) | P. laggani | BC, AB? |
| Pellenes | montanus | (Emerton, 1894) | Habrocestum | BC, AB, SK, NS |
| Pellenes | peninsularis | Emerton 1925 | NS | |
| Pellenes | wrighti | Lowrie & Gertsch 1955 | MB | |
| Habronattus | sp #7 | Pellenes #7 (buckle) | SK | |
| Habronattus | sp #11 | Pellenes #11, viridipes gp. | BC | |
| Habronattus | altanus | (Gertsch, 1934) | Pellenes altanus | AB, SK, MB, ON |
| Habronattus | americanus | (Keyserling, 1884) | Ephippus am., Pellenes am., Pellenes speciosus, P. nigripes | SK, AB, MB, BC, ON |
| Habronattus | amicus | (Peckham & Peckham, 1909) | Pellenes a., P. mundus | AB |
| Habronattus | borealis | (Banks, 1895) | Habrocestum, Pellenes b. | NB, ON, QC |
| Habronattus | calcaratus maddisoni | (Banks, 1904) | Pellenes peregrinus, H. p. | ON, QC |
| Habronattus | captiosus | (Gertsch, 1934) | Pellenes captiosus | YT, BC, AB, MB, (ON) |
| Habronattus | cognatus | (Peckham & Peckham, 1901) | Pellenes c., P. arizonensis, Hab. agilis | ON, MB, SK, AB |
| Habronattus | cuspidatus | Griswald 1987 | Pellenes brunneus | SK, AB |
| Habronattus | decorus | (Blackwall, 1846) | Pellenes nigriceps, Attus rosus, P.r., A. splendens | ON, NB, SK, MB, NS, BC |
| Habronattus | hirsutus | (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) | H. hirsutum, Pellenes h. | BC |
| Habronattus | jucundus | (Peckham & Peckham, 1909) | Pellenes jucundus | BC |
| Habronattus | ophrys | Griswald 1987 | BC | |
| Habronattus | oregonensis | (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) | Habrocestum o., Pellenes o. | BC |
| Habronattus | sansoni | (Emerton, 1915) | Pellenes sansoni | AB, BC |
| Habronattus | texanus | (Chamberlin, 1924) | Pellenes t., P. rutherfordi, H.r. | SK, (MB, ON) |
| Habronattus | viridipes | (Hentz, 1846) | Pellenes v., Attus peregrinus, H.p., P.p., Habronattus p. | ON, QC |
| Habronattus | waughi | (Emerton, 1926) | P. waughi | QC, NB |
| Phanias | sp. | BC | ||
| Phidippus | sp. | SK | ||
| Phidippus | audax | (Hentz, 1845) | P. bryantae, Salticus variegatus. | ?ON, SK |
| Phidippus | borealis | Banks 1895 | P. altanus | CAN |
| Phidippus | californicus | Peckham & Peckham 1901 | CAN | |
| Phidippus | clarus | Keyserling 1885 | P. coloradensis, Attus rimator | CAN |
| Phidippus | johnsoni | (Peckham & Peckham, 1883) | BC, ? | |
| Phidippus | sp. aff johnsoni | Peckham & Peckham ? | Buckle's sp. nr johnsoni? | MB, AB?, SK? |
| Phidippus | princeps | (Peckham & Peckham, 1883) | P. brunneus | ON, NS, NL |
| Phidippus | purpatus | Keyserling 1885 | P. albomaculatus, P. galathea, P. mystaceus | CAN (NL, ON, AB, SK, MB) |
| Phidippus | tyrrelli | Peckham & Peckham 1901 | CAN | |
| Phidippus | whitmani | Peckham & Peckham 1909 | P. rufus | NL, SE CAN, MB |
| Salticus | scenicus | (Clerck, 1757) | S. CAN, MB, BC, NS, AB, NL | |
| Sassacus | papenhoei | Peckham & Peckham, 1895 | BC | |
| Sitticus | sp. | SK | ||
| Sitticus | dorsatus | (Banks, 1895) | S. absolutus | BC |
| Sitticus | ammophilus | (Thorell, 1875) | Attus | ON |
| Sitticus | fasciger | (Simon, 1880) | Attus godlewskii, S. barnesi | ON, MB, BC, ? |
| Sitticus | finschi | (L. Koch, 1879) | Attus, Euophrys cruciata | QC, MB, AB, SK, BC, YT |
| Sitticus | rupicola | (C.L. Koch, 1837) | Holarctic? | |
| Sitticus | ranieri | (Peckham & Peckham, 1909) | S. lineolatus, S. haydeni, S. mazamae | YT, NT, QC, MB, SK, BC |
| Sitticus | palustris | (Peckham & Peckham, 1883) | Sittacus p., Attus sylvestris | N. CAN, AB, SK, ON, MB, NT, QC, NL, BC |
| Sitticus | striatus | Emerton 1911 | NL, QC, MB | |
| Sitticus | sylvestris | (Emerton, 1891?) | Attus s. | ON |
| Synageles | canadensis | Cutler 1988 | NB, BC, ON | |
| Synageles | leechi | Cutler 1988 | BC | |
| Synageles | noxiosus | (Hentz, 1850) | Synemosyna n., Gertschia n., Synageles scorpiona, Peckhamia s. P. scorpionia, Synemosyna scorpiona | ON, QC |
| Synageles | occidentalis | Cutler 1988 | NB, MB, BC, SK, AB | |
| Talavera | minuta | (Banks, 1895) | Saitis minisculis | QC, YT, MB, SK, BC |
| Tutelina | sp | SK | ||
| Tutelina | elegans | (Hentz, 1846) | Icius e., Dendry. e., Attus superciliosus, A. tibialis, Maevia cristata, M. aurulenta | CAN |
| Tutelina | formicaria | (Emerton, 1891) | Dendry. f. Icius formicarius | ? (poss. ON) |
| Tutelina | harti | (Peckham, 1891) | Icius h. | QC, MB |
| Tutelina | similis | (Banks, 1895) | Dendry. s. Icius | CAN (SK, AB) |
| Tutelina | nr. similis | BC | ||
| Zygoballus | nervosus | (Peckham & Peckham, 1888) | Z. terrestris | QC |
*Provincial/Territorial abbreviations are as follows:
AB, Alberta; BC, British Columbia; MB, Manitoba; NB, New Brunswick; NL, Newfoundland and Labrador; NT, Northwest Territories; NS, Nova Scotia; ON, Ontario; PE, Prince Edward Island; QC, Quebec; SK, Saskatchewan; YT, Yukon; CAN, country-wide; other abbreviations designate geographical region within above.
This article is a reproduction with some modification of an
article that appeared in the Newsletter of the Biological Survey of Canada
(Terrestrial Arthropods), vol. 19(1), Spring 2000. The original article may be
found HERE.