Do single spider species have varying colours? If so is it due to different stages in life cycle or just variation like some people have red hair and some are blondes?
It's different for each species, some have a very wide variety of colours, whereas others will just come in one/two colours and thus can be an identifying feature of that species. It can be both an indicator of life cycle, such as in redbacks (Latrodectus hasselti) where the juveniles will have quite vibrant white/light red markings and won't develop their trademark red stripe until they've moulted a few times. But for those spiders that do have variation in colour, it is just a natural genetic variation like human hair/eye colour.
Interesting. Thanks. And there I was thinking all these multicoloured spiders might all be different species. Did anyone actually decide what these two are? Are they the Salsa or the Hortophora?
Describe how you intend to use these images and/or audio files and your request will be sent to the author for consideration.
Your request has been successfully submitted to the author for consideration.
1,898,746 sightings of 21,113 species in 9,321 locations from 12,959 contributors CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.