A Maratus volans rests on a thumbnail.

This species of the peacock spiders was first documented in 1874 by the Reverend Octavius Pickard-Cambridge. Peacock spiders weren't really given much attention for a long time. Jürgen Otto has made it his mission to give these spectacular arachnids the recognition they deserve. As an acarologist -- someone who studies mites and ticks -- he is uniquely able to spot these tiny creatures.

A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian peacock spider, Maratus lobatus, shows off his colorful abdomen, an opisthosomal fan.

The German-born Otto first stumbled on a peacock spider after moving to Sydney from north Queensland in Australia. He has since spent hours upon hours watching and filming these tiny spiders.

Maratus avibus

It is the males of the species that are arrayed in glorious technicolor. The females are more plane janes.

Maratus volans on a salmon-colored eucalypt leaf.

Peacock spiders, mostly found in temperate parts of Australia, have four pairs of eyes.

A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian peacock spider, Maratus vespa, shows off his colorful abdomen.

Otto has spent hours upon hours watching and filming these tiny spiders. He believes that he is the first person to capture the male's courtship ritual.

A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian peacock spider, Maratus australis, shows off his colorful abdomen.

When the male spider is aroused the third pair of legs rise up and get waived around to get the female's attention, his abdomen starts vibrating and the brightly colored flaps (the opisthosomal fan) open like a peacock's tail. A dance soon follows suit.

A specimen of the newly-discovered Australian peacock spider, Maratus vultus, shows off his colorful abdomen in Australia.

Otto has a fascinating and entertaining video on YouTube of Maratus speciosus in a courtship dance.

A male Maratus albus (R) tries to attract a female in the Nuytsland Nature Reserve in Western Australia.

Otto's YouTube channel has attracted millions of views and his videos have been shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

Maratus vultus

Otto has cataloged all his finds with scientific papers, published on Peckhamia, a jumping spider website started by David Hill.

Maratus karrie shows off turquoise and irridescent blues and reds.

The abdomen has a rigid patterned "plate" that also vibrates.

Maratus sceletus babies

Maratus spicatus

Peacock spiders have become the inspiration for fashion designs for bikinis, handbags, jewellery and shoes.

Maratus fimbriatus

This species was found in northern New South Wales. This species differs from other peacock spiders because it raises the first pair of legs, not the third when trying to attract the female.

Maratus literatus

Otto and Hill calls this one "m-signitus" for the m-shaped figure on its head.

Maritus robinsoni

This spider appears in different colors every time it moves.

Maratus nigromaculatus

Maratus digitatus

Maratus purcellae

This species is probably the smallest peacock spider known so far, only 2.5 mm in length.

Maratus clupeatus

Clupeatus means "shield bearer," according to Otto, and is a reference to the opisthsomal plate. It has so far only been found in the suburbs of Perth.

A closeup of the opisthsomal plate on a Maratus clupeatus.

For more from Jürgen Otto on Australian peacock spiders:

Otto's YouTube channel

Facebook

Flickr