The biologist who documented the species said he wants to change peoples negative perceptions of

Footage of its distinctive mating-dance went viral after internet users hailed it 'the world's cutest spider'

and it is recognisable from its bright-blue face

The peacock spider measures three to five


A biologist has documented an adorable species of spider which sways from side to side and kicks its legs in the air as part of a bizarre mating ritual dance.

The Maratus personatus - which derives its name from the Latin word for masked - is a blue-faced peacock spider which was officially named and recorded in scientific journals last month after after being found at Cape Riche, near Albany, in Western Australia.

The adorable arachnids, which measure three to five millimetres in length, have made a splash online after footage of their mesmerising courtship dance went viral.

The Maratus personatus spider sways from side to side and kicks its legs in the air as part of a bizarre mating ritual dance

The adorable arachnids were discovered last month at Cape Riche in Western Australia, the only location where they have been recorded

‘The Maratus Personatus dance is quite distinctive. It quickly moves from side to side while wildly kicking up its legs, which appear to clap overhead,’ biologist Jurgen Otto told Daily Mail Australia.

Peacock spiders are known for their dramatic colours and flamboyant dancing, which is a means for males to woo a female mate.

‘These guys don’t have a winged abdomen like other peacock spiders, so they rely on their spectacular blue face and white bandings to attract females.’

Dr Otto, a mite biologist at the Australian Department of Agriculture in Sydney, officially documented the spider with Dr David Hill, the editor of the spider journal Peckhamia.

After being contacted by a Perth-based naturalist David Knowles in 2012, Dr Otto took some specimens and to his spider-lab, where he recorded their captivating moves.

‘They have only been recorded at Cape Riche so far, but the growing popularity of these spiders means more people will be looking for them. I think they will be springing up more and more.’

The adorable arachnids measure three to five millimetres in length, prompting fans to hail them as the 'cutest spider in the world'

The blue-faced spiders have made a splash online after footage of their mesmerising dance went viral

The Maratus is the most recently discovered peacock spider, a species who have shot to internet stardom from their flamboyant dance-moves

Maratus personatus is the mostly recently recorded peacock spider, having been published in the Peckhamia journal on July 28.

Dr Otto and Dr Hill have named and recorded 21 of the 39 confirmed peacock spider species. Dr Otto has also helped helped propel them into internet stardom with his videos of their distinctive dance moves.

His YouTube channel has over 8.7 million views and almost 12,000 subscribers, with the Maratus personatus dancing clip amassing almost one million views.

Biologist Jurgen Otto said he hopes peacock spiders can help change peoples negative perceptions of arachnids

Dr Otto's videos of peacock spiders flamboyant dance moves have helped propel them into internet stardom

The 50-year-old German born biologist said he wants to shift people’s negative perceptions of spiders and help arachnophobes overcome their fear.

‘People are generally terrified of spiders, which is partly perpetrated by the media. But these colourful dancing ones ones can help people overcome their fear.'

'They play around like you might expect a dog or cat to-and to think of what they do on such a tiny scale is really quite remarkable.’