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Orthrus sp. jumping spider
This jumping spider was found in the rainforest and is potentially a species new to science. Nothing is known about its ecology.
In general, jumping spiders can jump at least 15 cm (6 in). They don't have big legs for jumping because they use blood pressure to jump – muscles in the body contract to squeeze the blood into the legs, which makes the legs snap straight, and thus the jump. There are about 5000 described species of jumping spiders, and probably at least as many species again remain to be discovered around the world.
Scientific name
Orthrus sp.
Where
On a RAP survey in the highlands wilderness in Papua New Guinea.
When
July 2008
Finder
Wayne Maddison (Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia)