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New jumping spider genus in South Island mountains

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New Zealand
Ourea petroides - new species of jumping spider at Arthur's Pass. Credit: Robin Long.
Ourea petroides - new species of jumping spider at Arthur's Pass. Credit: Robin Long.

Researchers from Lincoln University have identified a dozen new alpine jumping spider species, making up a whole new genus. They collected 170 jumping spiders from 19 rocky mountain sites as well as from lower altitude rocky areas in the South Island, taking DNA samples and putting the spiders in alcohol to study under a microscope. Ten species were found only on mountains, some were only present at a single site. Those on mountaintops could have ballooned long distances on strands of silk, the researchers say—and it's likely there are more species in the 'widespread' genus that haven't been recorded yet.

Multimedia

Collecting O. alpinus in Ohau
Collecting O. alpinus in Ohau
Collecting O. alpinus in Arthur's Pass
Collecting O. alpinus in Arthur's Pass
Robin's first alpine jumping spider - O. petroides, Arthur's Pass
Robin's first alpine jumping spider - O. petroides, Arthur's Pass
Robin's first alpine jumping spider - O. petroides, Arthur's Pass
Robin's first alpine jumping spider - O. petroides, Arthur's Pass
O. kohatu from Denniston Plateau (showing blue leg iridescence)
O. kohatu from Denniston Plateau (showing blue leg iridescence)
O. mauka from Mount Burns
O. mauka from Mount Burns
O. otagoensis from Old Man Range
O. otagoensis from Old Man Range
O. otagoensis from Remarkables Range
O. otagoensis from Remarkables Range
O. otagoensis from Rock and Pillar Range
O. otagoensis from Rock and Pillar Range
O. otagoensis from Rock and Pillar Range
O. otagoensis from Rock and Pillar Range
O. otagoensis from Rock and Pillar Range
O. otagoensis specimens from Rock and Pillar Range
O. otagoensis specimens from Rock and Pillar Range
O. petroides from Kahurangi National Park
O. petroides from Kahurangi National Park
O. petroides from Kaikoura
O. petroides from Kaikoura
O. petroides from Lewis Pass
O. petroides males fighting
O. petroides males fighting
O. petroides mating
O. petroides mating
O. saffroclypeus from Remarkables Range
O. saffroclypeus from Remarkables Range
Journal/
conference: New Zealand Journal of Zoology
Organisation/s: Lincoln University
Funder: This work was supported by Lincoln University.
Media Contact/s
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