Small Black Ant-mimicking Spider - Ligonipes semitectus

FAMILY SALTICIDAE

This page contains pictures and information about Small Black Ant-mimicking Spiders that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.

Body length 5mm

 

This jumping spider just looks like an small black ant. Usually this spider is found hunting on small plants where are many small black ants around as well.

 

  

 

The above picture shows its retreat built on long grass leaf. This small jumping spider has relatively strong front arms. 

 

 

With its small size, if its front pair of legs mimic ant's antenna, they could be too weak to attack. Instead of mimicking the ant's antenna, the spider adapted to have its second pair of legs reduced size and paler colour, to hide its spider 8-legs identity.

 

 

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Reference:

1. Ligonipes semitectus - lifeunseen.com, by Nick Monaghan, 2007.

2. Ligonipes semitectus - The Find-a-spider Guide for Australian Spiders, University of Southern Queensland, 2008.  

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Last updated: May 09, 2010.