Phidippus

Phidippus is a genus in the family Salticidae (jumping spiders). Some of the largest jumping spiders inhabit this genus, and many species are characterized by their brilliant, iridescent green chelicerae. Phidippus is distributed almost exclusively in North America, with the exception of two exported species (Phidippus audax and Phidippus regius). As of 2004, there are 60 valid described species in the genus. Species previously described in Phidippus which are found in India and Bangladesh do not belong in this genus.

Name

The genus name is likely derived from Cicero's speech Pro Rege Deiotaro (Speech in Behalf of King Deiotarus): Phidippus was a slave who was physician to King Deiotaros. Literally, the words means "one who spares horses" in Ancient Greek.

Accepted species

The genus Phidippus consists of the following 60 species:

Phidippus (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Phidippus /ˌfaɪˈdɪpəs/ (Greek Φείδιππος "he who spares the horses") was a son of Thessalus and Chalciope and brother of Antiphus and Nesson.

Pheidippus was among the suitors of Helen and accordingly participated in the Trojan War; he and his brother Antiphus led a contingent of thirty ships from Nisyrus, Carpathus, Casus, Cos and Calydnae. After the war and the storm that scattered the Greek ships, Pheidippus and the Coans settled at Andros, while Antiphus went to the land of the Pelasgians and, having taken possession of it, called it Thessaly after their father. In another account, Antiphus and Pheidippus were said to have invaded the land together; it is also reported that the region was believed to have had another name, Nessonis, after their third brother Nesson.

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