Paraplatoides nigrum?

Fact Box Species: Paraplatoides nigrum? (This identification is based on the contents of a paper by Marek Zabka and may be an alternative species - see notes below) Family: Salticidae Body length: female: about 7 mm male: about 5 mm Habitat: Possibly under bark but a very mobile spider Toxicity: This is a very small spider and is unlikely to cause more than local inflammation and pain

A juvenile Another male Another view Another male?

Among the distinguishing features of this species are its elongate shape and the pairs of white spots scattered across its body and appendages. The general appearance of this spider is very similar to that published for Paraplatoides nigrum but also for ant mimics such as Ligonipes and Rhombonotus and there appear to be no photos, drawings or reports of males from either genus having as many white spots as can be seen in the images presented on this page. It should also be noted that the specimens in the photos included on this page were found inland from Maryborough, Queensland, whereas Zabka's paper indicates that P. nigrum is only found in Southern Australia and Tasmania. This fact, the leg banding, and the presence of more white spots on the surface of the spiders than Zabka shows for P. nigrum may mean that this is actually an undescribed Paraplatoides species, although locality differences and immaturity could explain at least some of these differences.

Known range: Only known to be around Melbourne and in Tasmania.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Paraplatoides christopheri, Rhombonotus gracilis and Ligonipes semitectus.