Found this critter in the sink so I just had to photograph it down a microscope. Its either a female or a female of the opposite sex :-)Its a lean mean eight-legged hunting machine. Okay, its a spider :-)
Maratus pavonisThis is the male of a 'peacock spider' and they are found in the forest and gardens across Perth at this time of the year. I consider it a privilege to have found some in my garden this year. The male spiders of this genus attract mates by standing and lifting their 3rd legs into the air. They then make a beautiful display by lifting flaps from the side of their abdomen and tilting their abdomen. The display of a different species can be seen here: www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/australian/salticidae/Peacock_spid...Other maratus photos