Marvelling at the Eyes of a Jumping Spider
The
Jumping Spider‘s (
Salticidae) anterior median eyes are one of the largest amongst all other spiders, possibly with the exception of the
Ogre-Faced Spider. However, if we were to measure the size of the eyes with respect to the body, the Jumping Spider stands clearly on top of the list.
A typical Jumping Spider would have 2 big Anterior Median Eyes (AME) in the center of the face, with 2 smaller ones at the side of the face (A). 2 equally small ones (B) would be at the top the carapace to cover the rear vision and finally, a last pair just in front of them (C). Yes, total of 8 eyes. =D This is illustrated in #1 below.
The AMEs have high visual acuity but a very narrow field of vision. They are long and tubular, and can only have a narrow field of vision. It is able to look around by moving the retina within the carapace – that is why we can spot jumping spiders with colours of their AMEs changing. When the colour is at it’s darkest, the spider is looking straight at you.
![Jumping Spider Eyes](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9201513104_36ae8e691a_z.jpg)
#1 Position of the eyes of a Jumping Spider.
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - i02813_cropped](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9198734721_f0912a830a_z.jpg)
#2 The eyes (AME) of the jumping spider are most beautiful when captured straight on. Of course, this may be subjective, but it is my favorite angle. 🙂
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - i02830](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/8053672327_fddce349fb_z.jpg)
#3 A wider view. If you could squint and look closer, you might see my hand in the reflection of the eyes.
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/539271_10150645597566441_618276440_9509861_1439284519_n.jpg)
#4 Cropped view of the above. See my fingers? I was trying to block the focusing light.
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - i02833](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/8053671981_714f33486b_z.jpg)
#4 Lovely details on the jumping spider
![Jumping Spider (Siler sp.) - DSC_9278](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8077009171_fca7003c17_z.jpg)
#5 Very colourful jumping spider (
Siler sp.)
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_8665](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8330/8077122912_12b491d38b_z.jpg)
#6 Yet another cute fella
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_8113](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8077207799_d2067be399_z.jpg)
#7 From the looks of this picture, this Jumping Spider is not looking at the camera. Otherwise, the AMEs would be almost black.
![Yellow-Lined Epeus Spider (Epeus flavobilineatus) - DSC_5746](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8093965097_eec339cae5_z.jpg)
#8
Epeus flavobilineatus guarding her eggs
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_0104](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8130355669_469da1ba5f_z.jpg)
#9 A broader head, but just as cute!
![Jumping Spider (Epeus flavobilineatus) - DSC_9037](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8138287282_c7bd870a53_z.jpg)
#10 Some have punk-like hairdos
![Jumping Spider (Pystira ephippigera) - DSC_9165](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8138286658_37bbeb6c26_z.jpg)
#11 While others have a very black face, like this
Pystira ephippigera![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_8041](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8141782711_34802a86ba_z.jpg)
#12 Most of them tend to look up as you approach them
![Jumping Spider (Telamonia elegans) - DSC_7687](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8147550501_9fafbf87f6_z.jpg)
#13 They come in lots of beautiful colours too!
![Jumping Spider (Portia sp.) - DSC_5646](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/8166914802_f419365e3d_z.jpg)
#14 Most are just as curious, like this
Portia labiata ![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_5505](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/8166916120_30911112c7_z.jpg)
#15 Some look super duper adorable
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_1908](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8295886179_597c12b182_z.jpg)
#16 The hair on top of the carapace is almost always crooked. lol
![Wide-Jawed Viciria (Viciria sp.) - DSC_9537](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8312605695_af982c427e_z.jpg)
#17 Some have really oversized jaws
![Heavy Jumper (Hyllus diardi) - DSC_7713](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8211/8314404364_195ea51192_z.jpg)
#18 Some grow over 15mm long, like this Heavy Jumper
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_7642](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8494/8313353597_2835da4fd5_z.jpg)
#19 Some have long, slender legs
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_8089](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8320017763_5b427a4834_z.jpg)
#20 Some were found to be doing yoga
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - DSC_5673](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8575213632_d77c51d837_z.jpg)
#21 And more often than not, they appear really shy. lol
Just a quick collection of jumping spiders here, hope you enjoyed them. 🙂 Now for the usual finds….!
![Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - i02699](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8053674695_56757ba5c5_z.jpg)
#22 Brown huntsman spider with a captured katydid. 69 position?!?!
![Huntsman Spider (Sparassidae) - i02708](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8053674509_02eb8ea605_z.jpg)
#23 Front view
![Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae) - i02714](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/8053678080_e3c5f463f5_z.jpg)
#24 Victor found this Lynx spider with a fresh brood of spiderlings
![Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae) - i02719](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/8053677960_b2d7af3eb2_z.jpg)
#25 Mama looking on her little baby
![Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae) - i02724](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8053677836_d6a4fe1239_z.jpg)
#26 Closer look at the spiderlings
![Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae) - i02759](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8053677278_434fdeff73_z.jpg)
#27 How to look after so many kids?!
![Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae) - i02765](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/8053677090_ef6eb2451b_z.jpg)
#28 Mama got busy and captured a flying ant!
![Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae) - i02789](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/8053676976_dd6b397fa6_z.jpg)
#29 Another view of the capture
![Fungus Weevil? (Anthribidae?) - i02792](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/8053672995_33beeee2d3_z.jpg)
#30 Unknown beetle
![Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae) - i02799](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8454/8053672789_17746e463b_z.jpg)
#31 A longhorn beetle in the usual face-down position
![Longhorn Beetle (Cerambycidae) - i02801](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8053672639_21bdb9ed58_z.jpg)
#32 Documenting the side profile
![](https://pix.bay.to/albums/macro-2012-03-23-upper-pierce/i02865b.jpg)
#33 Found a cute pair of mating fireflies. Initially thought that they were net-winged beetles. Should have switched off the lights to see them glow in ecstasy!
![Crab Spider (Thomisidae) - i02894](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/8053675494_3257fd6c44_z.jpg)
#34 A not so friendly crab spider
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - i02901](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/8053671415_0bd20f628f_z.jpg)
#35 Another cute jumping spider!
![Jumping Spider (Salticidae) - i02905](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8053671197_623dba4ac7_z.jpg)
#36 Not interested in me… so it wandered off
![Crab Spider (Thomisidae) - i02919](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8053676138_dd944e897c_z.jpg)
#37 Last shot of the unfriendly crab spider
The complete album can be
viewed here.
TAGS
Daddy Bear
Lovely series and excellent documentation. Great knowledge shared and I enjoy the captions!! Tks for sharing Nicky!!