Unknown Jumping Spider
Family Salticidae and Akanthomyces fungi (to be confirmed)
-16.8316, 145.701
Field Notes
Description:
At first I thought this little jumping spider was like a Decorator crab, sticking pieces of its surrounds to itself for camouflage. On closer investigation (and a little prod), I realised the spider was dead. It had died in situ and all of the white stuff was fungi fruiting out of it (possibly Akanthomyces - awaiting ID) Look closely at the leaf around the spider. The little white/pale grey spots are the mycelia or hyphae of the fungi.
Notes:
Here is an article on fungi and spiders: I need to do some more research on this subject.
http://www.americanarachnology.org/JoA_free/JoA_v13_n2/JoA_v13_p272.pdf
http://www.wildlifethailand.com/blog/articles-2/wildlife-articles/163--…
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