CLOSED: Small diameter black spider with single red spot on back

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nachtus Rancho Murieta, CA Jun 14, 2013

Found a spider in the back yard, and nobody can seem to identify it. Anyone have any answers on this one?

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jun 15, 2013

Looks like a jumping spider, but not a species I recognize...

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Jun 15, 2013

I wonder if it could be a juvenile Phidippus audax? I know the adults have white markings, but I think the juveniles have red or orange spots. They are commonly called Bold or Daring jumping spiders....we have an adult that lives in our mail box...quite a feisty critter...and basically fearless for 13mm or less.

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Phidippus_audax/

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Flapdoodle Minot, ND Jun 15, 2013

@themoonhowl - That is a possibility; I couldn't see any of the secondary markings - http://www.flickr.com/photos/joycefaler/4412115502/

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Jun 15, 2013

I could not discern the secondary markings either, but remembered that the juvenile of the species did not always exhibit all of the markings immediately and did have some color variant in the spot on the abdomen. But, I do think the spider in Nachtus's photo is a jumping spider.

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