Salticids are a diverse and visually interesting group of spiders. One factor contributing to this richness is sexual dimorphism. Like many bird species, adult male salticids often have brightly pigmented colors and/or iridescent scales while mature females typically have cryptic markings and mutely colored scales. Paraphidippus aurantius is an exception to the rule. While the males have a subtle iridescence highlighting their overall dark color, the females sport iridescent scales normally reflecting brillant greens and golds although female P. aurantius also show an unusual diversity of color among individuals. This and many other salticids are miniature gems best appreciated in the images of expert photographers. Thomas Shahan, for one, has taken many outstanding jumping spider images some of which have appeared in National Geographic and many more on the pages of BugGuide.
Maddison, 1996
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