Salticidae Epeus

Epeus furcatus Zhang, Song & Li, 2003

Forked Jade Jumpers

This Epeus species was described from a specimen collected at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR). So far, it has not been found outside the BTNR. It is therefore considered a species "endemic" to Singapore, if not just BTNR.

The name "furcatus" (meaning "forked") refers to the most diagnostic feature of this species: a pair of minute spurs extending from the cymbium (dorsal cover) of the male palp (visible only under a microscope). This is the only reliable way to separate the male of E. furcatus from the male of E. sumatranus. The male also differs from that of E. sumatranus in a more subtle way: its legs I are marginally stouter than those of E. sumatranus. These are not particularly noticeable in photos, but the leg segments, particularly tibiae I, have a larger diameter-to-length ratio.

The crest of erect hairs over the carapace is similar to that of E. sumatranus. In both species, young adult males have a thinner crest ; the anterior lateral parts of the carapace are not diffused with black pigmentation until they grow older.