                      It is, I find, in zoology as it is in botany: all nature is so full that that district produces the greatest variety
                      which is the most examined . . .
                                 - White, G. 1887. The Natural History of Selborne. London, England: Walter Scott.

Jumping Spiders

The longer one naturalizes in one place the more one becomes aware of the truth of White's proposition. There are few places, if any, in North America that have received the attention of Concord, Massachusetts and its environs. Anecdotal records of the town's flora and fauna date to the first half of the eighteenth century and systematic studies begin with the work of Thoreau in the mid-nineteeth century. The birds and the plants have received most of the attention but in-depth field work has also focused on butterflies and dragonflies, reptiles and amphibians, as well as rather more obscure groups like freshwater bivalves and solitary wasps. A decade ago, on July 4th 1998, a Concord area Biodiversity Day organized by Peter Alden and E. O. Wilson resulted in nearly 2000 species being observed in one 24-hour period. Forty-nine species of arachnids were recorded that day. For several years I have wanted to devote time to the spiders. I have settled on the Jumping Spiders, a colorful and diverse family well suited to video presentation. Although uncertain of the ultimate goal of these efforts, I plan to acquire footage over the next few years for presentation here. I hope you enjoy the jumpers!

With special thanks to John Huehnergard for sharing the hunt and to Jay Barnes, GB Edwards, Jeff Hollenbeck and Wayne Maddison and for their expertise. Other "Acknowledgments" below; also see links to "References" (information on the natural history of Jumping Spiders) and "Salticid Data" (specific records, locales, and dates for each video). All video is the property of Richard K. Walton and all rights are reserved.