Maratus sapphirus Otto & Hill 2017

Maratus sapphirus Otto & Hill 2017c

This species was first found near Barraga Bay on the "Sapphire Coast" of New South Wales, but has now been found near Sydney. The tightly packed iridescent scales on the flaps of the males are thought to resemble sapphires, hence the name sapphirus . During courtship display the fan is rotated from side to side at irregular intervals at a low amplitude (only several degrees in either direction). Except for side-stepping, leg and pedipalp movement is not important to this display.