New Species of FL Jumping Spider Discovered :)

[ExoticOddities]

I was fortunate enough to be a part of an expedition led by Dr. G.B. Edwards, where we were able to witness the discovery of a new jumping spider species, found only in Ocala National Forest in central Florida. The species hasn't yet been given an official name, so for now we will call it the "Ocala Jumping Spider":

Ocala Jumping Spider - Male

Ocala Jumping Spider - Female

You can read about this interesting new species in a 2-part story on my blog:

PART I

PART II

Cheers!

Jack

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[ShieldMantid1997]

Thats so cool that you were able to be a part of that maybe you can be the first to have them as pets!

 

[ExoticOddities]

Well, GB is the first to have them as pets, but I guess I would be the second one

Jack

PS: I do not offer them for sale, though, due to their very strict geographical location.

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

second is still really cool too. Are there a lot of the spiders there or are they a small species in quantity?

 

[ExoticOddities]

second is still really cool too. Are there a lot of the spiders there or are they a small species in quantity?

Good question!

They are actually quite abundant ... within their very limited locality.

For example, when I have returned (5x) to the same spot to collect, it is about a 1-mile trail. I have never found them anywhere except in a small clearing where there are distinct vegetation types ... and I have always been able to collect these spiders "there."

In other words, along an entire 1-mile trail I have never seen ANY of these spiders ... except in one clearing ... and as soon as I walk passed that clearing, I never see another one again. Fascinating to wonder "why?"

As a side note, they have only been found on 2 types of plant so far as well ... and no one knows the "why" to this question either.

Cheers!

Jack

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[ExoticOddities]

PS: My blog got obliterated last month, so all of the links/images were destroyed ... but fortunately I saved the material ... so I just updated the links so that those interested can read the story