 They are known as Peacock Spiders, based on the peacock-like display of the dorsal (upper) surface of the abdomen (opisthosoma) of the males, on which there is a "plate" or "fan" of usually brightly colored and highly iridescent scales and hairs, often forming patterns in which the foreground colors contrast with the iridescent background.There may in addition be "flaps" or dense fringes of hairs at the sides of the abdomen, sometimes brightly colored.In both sexes, the abdomen is joined to the cephalothorax by a long and very flexible pedicel.