Song and Dance in the Spider World

Spiders are usually connected with dangerous and scary when brought up in conversations. Two worlds that are not usually used in conjunction with spiders is song and dance. What some people don’t realize is that spiders use song and dance in their everyday life as a means of survival. The main species which uses these techniques is the jumping spiders.  

One of the largest families of spider species, Salticidae, is one example of spiders and song and dance (Richman, 2010). These jumping spiders use their jumping abilities to mimic the predators around them (Richman, 2010). These spiders also feel vibrations and can make high-pitched sounds during courtship (Richman, 2010). The females complete a lateral run with a sudden jump, this run is repeated in a zig-zag as the male approaches (Richman, 2010). The entire body vibrates as the spider creeps forward towards the other involved (Richman, 2010). The males in this courtship process they accompany their visual display with the tapping of the palpi and the rubbing of other body parts (Richman, 2010).Males of particular species in this family also have the ability to pick up chemical  breeding cues from females (Richman, 2010). These spiders are one among others have these abilities. Most spider species use song or dance in some way in their courtship ritual. 

 

Richman, D., 2010. Spiders that Jump and Dance. Microscopy UK.