About Saitis barbipes (Simon, 1868)
Saitis barbipes (Simon, 1868) is a jumping spider species marked by strong sexual dimorphism. Males reach a body length of 3.8–4 millimetres (0.15–0.16 in), while females are larger, measuring 4.6–5.7 millimetres (0.18–0.22 in). Females have relatively subdued coloration, with a dull brown body, a dark or blackish eye field, and pale brown legs with almost no distinct markings. In contrast, the smaller males are strikingly colored, especially when viewed from the front. Males have bright emerald green eyes, four densely haired white frontal legs regularly marked with black stripes, and a red band above the eyes that extends along the sides to the rear pair of eyes. The upper surface of the male's pale brown cephalothorax (prosoma) is rather hairy above the eyes. The male's abdomen (opisthosoma) has a longitudinal band on its upper side bordered by dark color on both sides. Saitis barbipes is likely the most colorful jumping spider species found in Europe. Its most notable feature is its greatly enlarged third pair of legs. These legs are longer than the others, colored red close to the body, fading to black toward the end, and end in white tufts. This species occurs in the Mediterranean region, ranging from southern Europe (including Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland) to Turkey and North Africa. These jumping spiders live on houses, rocks, and can also be found indoors.
