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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Jumping Spider Life Cycle

Life cycle documentation for a Viciria sp. jumping spider family I came across recently, in chronological order: from eggs, to newly hatched to after first molting (first instar). Not a complete one, I know, but I am more interested in the initial stages.

All images taken with 40D, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5X Macro Lens ,Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash and DIY Concave Diffuser.


Jan 21, 2012, 10:36pm.


Viciria sp. female jumping spider with her precious eggs.
Viciria sp. jumping spider mom with her precious eggs IMG_9586 copy


January 26, 2012, 1.29pm

Some of the eggs had hatched. Some hadn't though. Click image to view bigger version.

newly hatched Viciria sp. spiderlings IMG_9994 copy

Green, translucent and cute :)
IMG_9993 copy

A higher magnification shot of the cuties. Approx. 2X life size i think.
spider life cyle IMG_9989 copy

spider life cycle IMG_9893 copy

Even closer, approximately 4X life size.
spiderling IMG_9986 copy

January 31, 2012 at 8.21pm

IMG_0309 copy

Mom was still around.
Viciria sp. Salticidae Viciria sp. jumping spiderIMG_0326 copy

Viciria sp. salticidae spiderlings IMG_0310 copy

A closer look at the cute Viciria sp. spiderlings
Viciria sp. spiderling IMG_0320 copy

February 2, 2012 at 4.01pm

First instar Viciria sp. spiderling.

This spiderling had already molted! The eyes were developed. There were hairs on the cephalothorax. The baby fat was gone and the abdomen was much slimmer compared to unmolted ones.
first instar Viciria sp. spiderling IMG_0427 copy

The exuvia. You will see these in some of the following images.
exuvia of molted Viciria sp. spiderling IMG_0402 copy

I wondered why mom was still around even after the spiderlings had molted. But I think i found the answer in the next image. Pardon the poor IQ. From a point and shoot camera.
Viciria sp. jumping spider mom with her spiderlings R0016595 copy

The answer can be found in this image.

First instars (molted once) Viciria sp. spiderlings. Not all though. If you look carefully, you will see that two of them hadn't molted yet! Can you point out which two?
first instar and two unmolted viciria sp. spiderlings.IMG_0566 copy

Three unmolted ones in this image.
viciria sp. spiderlings IMG_0564 copy

molted viciria sp. spiderlings IMG_0397 copy

Comparision:

Viciria sp. jumping spider life cycle


For similar documentation on Lichen huntsman life cycle click  here.

More arthropod moms with babies in this post.


More tropical spiders.

Other spiders related posts:

1. Ant-mimic crab spider eating weaver ant
2. More ant-mimic spiders
3. Wonderful jumping spiders
4. Ant-mimic crab spider - mating!
5. Male red ant-mimic jumping spider
6. Tropical spiders
7. Jumping spider life cycle
8. Lichen huntsman life cycle

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