Phidippus carolinensis Peckham & Peckham, 1909 - Jumping Spider


NA Range Map
Salticidae of North America
Richman, Cutler & Hill 2012

The only known record of Phidippus carolinensis from North Carolina (or South Carolina) is the original type specimen and it is likely, as suggested by Edwards, to be the result of mislabeling. The species' range is, in fact, restricted to Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas in North America north of Mexico. Most records are from central Texas as are the individuals shown in the video. While the penultimate male (the initial clips on the video) was in an adjacent cactus patch, the adult male and female were seen on successive days on or near the same Opuntia plant. Both Phidippus comatus and P. carolinensis occur in this area and are two of four closlely related species in the putnami group. Males in this group of four have characteristic dorsal crests replacing the typical PME tufts of Phidippus spiders.
Edwards, 2004