Phidippus is a genus in the family Salticidae (jumping spiders).[1] Some of the largest jumping spiders inhabit this genus, and many species are characterized by their brilliant, iridescent green chelicerae. Phidippus is distributed almost exclusively in North America, with the exception of two exported species (Phidippus audax and Phidippus regius).[2]As of January2021[update], there were about 80 described species in the genus.[1] Species previously described in Phidippus which are found in India and Bangladesh do not belong in this genus.[2]
Quick Facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
The genus name is likely derived from Cicero's speech Pro Rege Deiotaro (Speech in Behalf of King Deiotarus): Phidippus was a slave who was physician to King Deiotaros.[3] Literally, the word means "one who spares horses" in Ancient Greek.[4]
In addition to the species above, several species have been misplaced in the genus (according to Edwards' revision) but have yet to be transferred to other genera.[2] These include:
Phidippus aeneidens Taczanowski, 1878 – Peru
Phidippus albocinctus Caporiacco, 1947 – Guyana
Phidippus bengalensis Tikader, 1977 – India
Phidippus bhimrakshiti Gajbe, 2004 – India
Phidippus birabeni Mello-Leitão, 1944 – Argentina
Phidippus calcuttaensis Biswas, 1984 – India
Phidippus exlineae Caporiacco, 1955 – Venezuela
Phidippus guianensis Caporiacco, 1947 – Guyana
Phidippus hingstoni Mello-Leitão, 1948 – Guyana
Phidippus khandalaensis Tikader, 1977 – India
Phidippus majumderi Biswas, 1999 – Bangladesh
Phidippus punjabensis Tikader, 1974 – India
Phidippus tenuis Kraus, 1955 – El Salvador
Phidippus tirapensis Biswas & Biswas, 2006 – India
Gardner, B.T. (1965): Observations on Three Species of Phidippus Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae). Psyche 72:133-147 PDF (P. californicus = P. coccineus, P. apacheanus, P. octopunctatus = P. opifex)
Ubick, D., Paquin, P., Cushing, P.E. and Roth, V. (editors) (2005): Spiders of North America: An Identification Manual. American Arachnological SocietyISBN0-9771439-0-2
Edwards, G.B. (2004): Revision of the jumping spiders of the genus Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae). Occasional Papers of the Florida State Collection of Arthropods11: i-viii, 1–156, 350 figs.
