OBSERVATIONS ON THREE SPECIES OF 
PHIDIPPUS JUMPING SPIDERS 
(ARANEAE: SALTICIDAE)* 
By Beatrice T. Gardner 
Department of Psychology, University of Nevada 
The large, brightly colored jumping spiders of the genus Phidippus 
are among the most conspicuous American spiders. In many ways, 
they are ideal subjects for behavioral studies : the spiders are diurnal 
in habit and are highly responsive to visual stimuli, they pursue prey 
actively and the males perform elaborate courtship displays. 
The present paper compares the behavior and the taxonomy of three 
Phidippus species that are found in the same fields in the vicinity of 
Reno, Nevada. The behavioral description emphasizes Phidippus 
coccineus , as this species is being used in the laboratory for experiments 
which continue a previous line of investigation on hunting responses 
(Gardner, 1964). The other two species of Phidippus J P. apacheanus 
and P. opifex , were collected and maintained in the laboratory for 
comparative observations. 
The diagnostic features for the three species have been illustrated 
(Figs. 1 -10) since there are few records other than the original 
description of each species. A modern taxonomic revision of the 
genus would be of considerable value in helping research workers 
determine specimens and in stimulating comparative studies. 
Habitat 
Phidippus coccineus Peckham and Peckham, 1909, occurs in the 
sagebrush community of the Great Basin desert. These large jumping 
spiders are found on bushes such as the sagebrush ( Artemesia triden- 
tata) , the rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseous ), and the four- 
winged saltbrush (A triplex canescens ) . Phidippus coccineus prefers 
bushes that grow on slopes with thin, stony soils, and appears to 
avoid conifers and moist habitats (e.g., the proximity of irrigation 
ditches). In the same habitat, often on the same bush, two other 
Phidippus species are found : P. apacheanus Chamberlin and Gertsch, 
1929, and P. opifex (McCook, 1883). 
Description 
The total size of adult P. coccineus ranges from 7-1 1 mm (median 
— 9 mm) for males and from 10-12 mm (median — 10.5 mm) for 
females. Both males and females have blue-green irridescent cheli- 
*Manuscript received by the editor February 3, 1965 
133 
