Ant-mimicking spider

Fact Box Species: Myrmarachne species (QM) (apparently an undescribed South Queensland species) Family: Salticidae Body length: female: 7 mm male: 9 mm Habitat: Any surface where ants can be found, the spiders tending to run with ants along established ant pathways Toxicity: A bite by this species may cause local inflammation

Another female Another view

The distinguishing feature of this species is the partial constriction of the cephalothorax and/or the abdomen into two segments to produce an ant-like body shape. The very large porrect (forward pointing) chelicerae on the male are another striking feature. The female's palps are long and thin with paddle-shaped ends. At least on some Myrmarachne species the cephalothorax appears to have a helmet-like shape.

It should also be pointed out that the taxonomy of the Australian Myrmarachne genus is currently being revised, the most recent example of this being the following paper: Pekar S., Petrakiva L., Corcobado G., and Whyte R. (2017) "Revision of eastern Australian ant-mimicking spiders of the genus Myrmarachne (Araneae, Salticidae) reveals a complex of species and forms" Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 197(3), 642-676.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Many other Myrmarachne species.