Who first described the jumping spider genus Bianor?
Bianor was first described by George and Elizabeth Peckham in 1886. They named it after a figure from ancient mythology also known as Ocnus.
Questions about Bianor
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many species does the genus Bianor contain?
The genus Bianor contains 27 recognized species. The most recently described, Bianor paulyi and Bianor eximius, were both named in 2009.
What are the distinctive physical features of Bianor spiders?
Male Bianor spiders have distinctly swollen femora, patellae, and tibiae on the first pair of legs. Females carry orange legs. The body overall is robust and shiny, typically reaching 3 to 4 mm, with the full range across the genus running from 2 to 7 mm.
Where in the world are Bianor spiders found?
Bianor is primarily an Asian genus, with species recorded across India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, and the island chains of Southeast Asia. Some species are found in Africa and Oceania. Two species, Bianor biocellosus and Bianor fasciatus, are known only from Brazil.
What is Sibianor and how does it relate to Bianor?
Sibianor is a new genus established by Logunov in 2001 during a revision of Bianor. Species that had previously been grouped within Bianor were moved into Sibianor, sharpening the boundaries of both genera.
What habitats do Bianor spiders occupy?
Bianor spiders live actively among plants, without a fixed web. Collectors have found specimens at ground level near plant bases and in the canopy of tall trees, indicating the genus occupies a wide vertical band of plant-based habitat.