[Odonata-l] Jumping spiders using exuviae for "homes"

[Ylightfoot@aol.com]

Hello folks:
 
While collecting libellulid exuviae left in abundance in sedges, grasses,  
etc., along a marshy backwater of the American River near my home in the past  
few weeks, I have encountered two instances of a salticid using a cast skin as 
a  roost/nest.  In the past I have occasionally found small spiderlings  
crawling around in/on exuviae, but the current case appears to be of a  particular 
salticid species finding exuviae to its liking as residential  dwellings.  I 
believe the species in question is Sassacus (=Metaphidippus)  vitis, though I 
have yet to get this confirmed by a salticid expert (I have one  live specimen, 
along with his exuvial abode, in a vial at present).  This  same species 
appears to be a common inhabitant of marshy plants (e.g., yellow  iris (Iris 
pseudacorus), sedges, etc.) bordering the riverine lagoons  hereabouts.
 
I'm curious to know if anyone has any additional data on this particular  
association or the association of any other salticid species with exuviae.
 
Cheers,
 
Tim Manolis



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