Leitz Ortholux microscope
4X Leitz projection eyepiece plus 1/3x relay lens
Image No. 1, 23 images at .002 inch increments, Leitz 4 X Plan Fluorite Achromat.
Image No. 2, 39 images at .005 inch increments. Nikon 1.2x Plan Achromat.
Image No. 3, 49 images at .005 inch increments, Nikon 1.2x Plan Achromat.
Image No. 4, 23 images at .005 inch increments, Nikon 1.2x Plan Achromat.
Diffused Fiber Optic illumination
Canon 50D
Zerene PMax and Photoshop processing.
Living subject.
I have not had the time to figure out what species this is. However it is a subject with an extraordinarily ornamental pair of number I front legs and an affinity, when waiting for a meal, to straighten itself into a linear form. The orb web it constructs has several stabilimentum features above and below the hub which it mimics by stretching itself out.
The overall length when stretched out is about 8mm. Please compare images three and four for variations on the leg arrangements used to hide its true nature.
Walt