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Tabuina rufa jumping spider
This jumping spider was found on a tree in the rainforest. It is not only a species new to science, but Tabuina is a genus new to science. It belongs to the subfamily Cocalodinae, a highly distinctive group unique to New Guinea and the region that previously had only two known genera. Nothing is known about its ecology except for the habitat.
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
Tabuina rufa
Where
On a RAP survey in Enga Province in Papua New Guinea.
When
July 2008
Finder
Wayne Maddison (Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia)