Jotus remus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jotus remus |
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The Jotus remus is a special type of spider found in Australia, specifically in New South Wales. It belongs to the jumping spider family, known as Salticidae. Scientists first officially described this spider in 2016.
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Meet the Paddle-Legged Spider
What makes the male Jotus remus spider so unique? It has something very special on its third pair of legs. These are called "paddles." These paddles are made of long, stiff hairs, or bristles. They are flattened and lie close to the spider's body.
Why Do Males Have Paddles?
These amazing paddles are not just for show! Male Jotus remus spiders use them to attract females. It's like a special dance or signal.
The Courtship Dance
When a male wants to get a female's attention, he performs a unique courtship display. He will often wave his paddles over the edge of a leaf. The female spider is usually on the other side of the leaf.
At first, the female might try to "attack" the waving paddle. But the male is very quick and good at dodging these attempts. He keeps waving his paddles, showing off his moves. After a while, the female stops trying to attack. This is a sign that she is interested!
Once the female is no longer trying to attack, the male can then move to her side of the leaf. They then quickly join together. This special paddle dance is how these spiders find a partner.
Females of the Species
It can be quite tricky to tell the difference between female Jotus remus spiders and females from other Jotus species. They don't have the distinctive paddles that the males do.
