Here we have a male ogre spider, Asianopis subrufa, with his impressive and unique pedipalps on show. These structures in spiders serve various functions like food handling, sensation and in males, mating. Sperm is transferred from the pedipalps to the female seminal receptacles.
Also commonly known as net-casting spiders because they do not spin conventional webs, but hang out like this in the foliage with a tiny silken net strung between their front legs when hunting, ready to ensnare a passing meal.
I read that ogre spiders have been shown to have superior night vision equal to cats and owls. Their eyes are capable of focusing light more effectively via a large, light-receptive retinal membrane. This membrane is damaged by sunlight and deteriorates each morning and regenerates in the evening.
Amazing spiders.
20 mm body length.
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