The Salticidae are one of the best known and most fascinating spider families. They are nicknamed jumping spiders because of their movement by leaps, which they use to hunt or flee.

👁️ Exceptional Vision

Salticidae possess four pairs of eyes, including two very large frontal eyes that provide exceptional binocular vision. This allows them to:

  • Accurately estimate distances
  • Track movements
  • Exhibit complex visual behaviors, sometimes considered a form of curiosity

🕷️ Behavior

Unlike spiders that weave webs, Salticidae are active hunters. They explore their environment, often during the day, and leap onto their prey with remarkable precision.

🌍 Distribution

They are present in almost all habitats:

  • On foliage or trunks
  • On the ground in sunny areas
  • In human constructions
  • Very common in tropical regions, notably Southeast Asia

📸 Macrophotography

Salticidae are ideal subjects for macrophotography because of:

  • Their dynamic behavior
  • Their expressive gaze
  • Their variety of colors and shapes

🧬 Taxonomy

There are more than 6,000 described species in this family. Below are the genera and species I have observed and photographed:

Salticidae – Jumping Spiders

Salticidae, or jumping spiders, form a fascinating family distinguished by their active jumping behavior and exceptional vision. About 500 genera were recorded as of 2021.

They generally have a compact body, robust legs, and large well-developed eyes at the front of their head. Their colors and patterns vary widely, with many species showing bright colors and distinct markings.

Jumping spiders can leap short distances, sometimes up to 50 times their own body length.

This is the most represented spider family.

  • Salticidae belong to the Dionycha clade, alongside Gnaphosidae, which explains why they are sometimes compared or grouped in phylogenetic analyses.

  • However, Salticidae are not classified within a clearly defined superfamily such as Gnaphosoidea or Araneoidea.

  • They are often considered a standalone family due to their unique morphology (large frontal eyes, complex visual behavior, jumping locomotion, etc.).

(Wayne P. Maddison, Melissa R. Bodner, and Karen M. Needham, “Salticid spider phylogeny revisited, with the discovery of a large Australasian clade (Araneae: Salticidae)”, Zootaxa, vol. 1893(1), 2008, pp. 49–64)

List of Salticidae genera (external link Araneae)
Another list - Maddison 2015 classification

Genus Carrhotus

(Tamerlan Thorell, 1891)

This genus contains 30 species (June 2019).

Carrhotus spiders are small with a compact body and relatively short legs. They have a general appearance similar to other jumping spiders, with prominent eyes and especially large frontal eyes that give them excellent vision.

The genus Carrhotus is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and other parts of the world. These spiders occupy various habitats such as forests, grasslands, gardens, wooded areas, and urban zones.

Carrhotus Xanthogramma – Orange Jumping Spider

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Carrhotus
Species Xanthogramma
Identifier Latreille
Year identified 1819
Male size min 5.1mm
Male size max 7.1mm
Female size min 7.1mm
Female size max 8mm
Color yellow-brown with brown stripes / males black-orange
Prosoma/Cephalothorax –
Opisthosome/Abdomen oval
Spider legs male: black with slightly orange rings
Habitat dry grass
Start period February
End period November
Zone Palearctic zone
Particularity dense hair, marked sexual dimorphism

I found this Carrhotus xanthogramma, the Orange Jumping Spider, in the grass in Ticino, Switzerland. I was surprised by its particularly small size. Photographing jumping spiders is always very fun. This spider is very curious and seems to pose.

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2175047
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrhotus_xanthogramma

Genus Cosmophasis

Spiders of the genus Cosmophasis are small and generally modest in size. They are characterized by bright colors and bold patterns, making them particularly visually attractive. These bright colors are often used for mimicry and camouflage, allowing them to blend into their environment or deter potential predators.

Cosmophasis spiders are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, especially Southeast Asia, India, China, Indonesia, and other countries in the region. They occupy various habitats such as forests, gardens, wooded areas, and urban environments.

Cosmophasis sp

Cosmophasis thalassina

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Cosmophasis
Species sp (thalassina??)
Identifier Koch
Year identified 1846
Male size min 5
Male size max 5
Female size min 8
Female size max 8
Color
Prosoma/Cephalothorax
Opisthosome/Abdomen
Legs
Habitat
Web does not weave webs
Period start January
Period end December
Zone Oceania, South Asia
Particularities

Difficult to identify this Salticidae genus or family. The photo is poor quality as it comes from a film segment I made in Koh Samui, Thailand, in 2014. The spider moved very quickly. I believe this is a Cosmophasis thalassina. It could be confused with Bagheera kiplingi, but this species is, to my knowledge, not present in Asia.

Probably Cosmophasis thalassina, July 2014, Koh Samui, Thailand

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2168426
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmophasis_thalassina
https://wsc.nmbe.ch/species/28894
https://www.arachne.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=2143

Genus Epocilla

Species of this genus are found in Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, and Mauritius. Epocilla calcarata has been introduced to Hawaii and Seychelles.

Epocilla Calcarata

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Epocilla
Species Calcarata
Identifier Karsch
Year identified 1880
Male size min 6
Male size max 7
Female size min 7
Female size max 8
Color White, red and yellow (female) / Yellow and brown-red (male)
Prosoma/Cephalothorax White and red bands in female / yellow and brown-red bands in male
Opisthosome/Abdomen White tear-shaped with red markings in female / elongated yellow with brown-red markings in male
Legs Yellow in female / brown front legs in male
Habitat Bushes, warm and humid areas
Web does not weave webs
Period start January
Period end December
Zone Asia
Particularities Confused with epocilla praetextata and aurantiaca

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2177844
https://wsc.nmbe.ch/species/29165/Epocilla_calcarata
http://www.dipode-vie.net/Arachnides/Salticidae/Epocilla/calcarata.html

Genus Evarcha

Spiders of this genus are also known as zebra jumping spiders due to their distinct black and white markings resembling zebra stripes.

Evarcha Jucunda

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Evarcha
Species Jucunda
Identifier Lucas
Year identified 1846
Male size min 5.1
Male size max 6.3
Female size min 5.5
Female size max 7.4
Color Brown-beige / Dark brown / Beige
Prosoma/Cephalothorax brown-beige (female), brown-black (male) with an arched white line behind
Opisthosome/Abdomen teardrop-shaped, beige and spotted
Legs dark in males
Habitat Rocks, bushes, near ground, trees
Web does not weave webs
Period start January
Period end December
Zone Mediterranean basin
Particularities light hairs under eyes / black and white pedipalps in males

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2172885
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evarcha_jucunda
Les Carnets Nature de Jessica

Genus Heliophanus

Spiders of the genus Heliophanus are also called sun jumping spiders because of their active behavior and preference for sunny environments. Here is some information about this genus:

  1. Diurnal behavior: Spiders of the genus Heliophanus are active during the day, which distinguishes them from many other spiders that are more nocturnal. They take advantage of sunlight to hunt and move.
  2. Variable appearance: The genus Heliophanus includes a wide variety of species with different sizes and color patterns. Some species have distinctive marks on their body, while others have a more discreet appearance to blend into their environment.

Heliophanus cupreus - Copper Heliophanus

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Heliophanus
Species Cupreus
Identifier Walckenaer
Year identified 1802
Male size min 3.6
Male size max 4
Female size min 4.6
Female size max 5.8
Color dark and shiny
Prosoma/Cephalothorax lateral white lines
Opisthosome/Abdomen inconstant white spots, white bordered
Spider legs yellow in female and dark in male, clear hips in male
Habitat Bush, Path edges, Garden
Web does not weave webs
Period start February
Period end September
Zone Palearctic zone
Particularity yellow pedipalps

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2171923
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliophanus_cupreus
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/141758-Heliophanus-cupreus
Jessica Joachim’s Nature Notebooks

Genus Icius

This small jumping spider probably belongs to the genus Icius, which is found worldwide.

Probably Icius sp., April 2021

Genus Marpissa

Carl Ludwig Koch, 1846

This genus had 51 species in June 2019.

Probably the best known species is Marpissa muscosa, the Giant Jumping Spider. It mainly lives on tree bark. It is also found in houses. Females reach up to 14mm. They have an orange band under the eyes. Males are smaller.

Marpissa muscosa - Giant Jumping Spider

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Marpissa
Species Muscosa
Identifier Clerck
Year identified 1757
Male size min 6
Male size max 8.1
Female size min 7.5
Female size max 14
Color Light to dark brown
Prosoma/Cephalothorax grey hairs
Opisthosome/Abdomen elongated, light spots with dark edges
Spider legs banded
Habitat House/habitat, Forest, Bark
Web does not weave webs
Period start January
Period end December
Zone Europe
Particularity orange-reddish eye band and light moustache

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2168338
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marpissa_muscosa
Jessica Joachim’s Nature Notebooks

Genus Menemerus

Menemerus sp

Undetermined genus. Photograph taken in Cambodia in July 2023.

Menemerus semilimbatus – Common Jumping Spider

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Menemerus
Species Semilimbatus
Identifier Hahn
Year identified 1829
Male size min 6.5
Male size max 8.5
Female size min 8
Female size max 9
Color Gray/White
Prosoma/Cephalothorax dark, white lateral margins, light center
Opisthosome/Abdomen flattened, dense hairs, gray-white
Spider legs light brown banded
Habitat House/habitat, Rocks, Sunny and dry, Garden
Web does not weave webs
Period start January
Period end December
Zone Europe, Mediterranean Basin, South Asia, Africa
Particularity light to white hairy pedipalps in female and black and white in male

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2169069
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menemerus_semilimbatus
Jessica Joachim’s Nature Notebooks

Genus Pseudeuophrys

Pseudeuophrys erratica

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Pseudeuophrys
Species Erratica
Identifier Walckenaer
Year identified 1826
Male size min 3
Male size max 4
Female size min 5
Female size max 5
Color black/gray/brown/white
Prosoma/Cephalothorax light band at base/black on sides in male
Opisthosome/Abdomen two symmetrical light triangles
Spider legs banded
Habitat House/habitat, Rocks, Path edges, Bark
Web does not weave webs
Period start February
Period end November
Zone Europe, Asia, North America
Particularity black, yellow, white pedipalps in male / white in female

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2173232
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudeuophrys_erratica

Genus Rhene  

Spiders of the genus Rhene generally have a flat body and a stout appearance, with four pairs of short and powerful legs. Their bodies are often decorated with vivid patterns and colors, allowing them to camouflage in their environment and blend among flowers or leaves.

The genus Rhene is widespread in various regions of the world, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. They are found in a variety of habitats such as forests, meadows, gardens, and coastal zones. These spiders are often associated with flowering plants as they often hide on petals to surprise pollinating insects.

Rhene Flavicomans – Yellow-legged Crab Spider

The yellow-legged crab spider owes its name to its characteristic appearance, resembling a small crab. It has a flattened body and long legs that extend laterally, giving it a distinctive look. Its legs are often yellow, hence its common name.

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Rhene
Species Flavicomans
Identifier Simon
Year identified 1902
Male size min
Male size max
Female size min
Female size max
Color Yellow/Brown/Black
Prosoma/Cephalothorax Yellow with brown pattern
Opisthosome/Abdomen Yellow with brown band and spots
Spider legs front legs large and thick, dark brown
Habitat Forest, Bush, Path edges, Warm and humid
Web does not weave webs
Period start January
Period end December
Zone South Asia
Particularity looks very much like a small crab

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2170961
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhene_flavicomans
https://wsc.nmbe.ch/species/32358

Genus Salticus

Salticus scenicus, the Zebra Jumping Spider or the Zebra Spider, likes rocky places, walls, and warm spots. Its white-gray color with black bands allows it to blend into its habitat.

Salticus scenicus – Zebra Jumping Spider

Order Aranea
Family Salticidae
Genus Salticus
Species Scenicus
Identifier Clerck
Year identified 1757
Male size min 4
Male size max 7
Female size min 5.5
Female size max 7.5
Color Brown with white markings
Prosoma/Cephalothorax –
Opisthosome/Abdomen light and dark bands
Spider legs –
Habitat House/habitat, Rocks
Web does not weave webs
Period start March
Period end October
Zone Holarctic zone
Particularity

References:

https://www.gbif.org/species/2172595
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salticus_scenicus

Salticinae (subfamily)

Jumping spiders of the subfamily Salticinae, Cambodia July 2023.