Is gender told on these spiders by the slight widening at the bottom of the appendages rather than a "boxing glove" look of other spiders? They have a small range, don't they? Now I will know that all I see are audax.

Range map for audax at the bottom here. Fairly widespread and one of the most commonly encountered jumping spiders.

For most jumpers, gender cannot be easily determined until the adult or subadult stage for males, and the adult stage for females. (subadult = one more molt until adult) Adult females have a visible epigynum on the underside of their abdomen, as shown here. Adult and subadult males have swollen palps, as you noted. In earlier life stages, males and females have identical palps.

Shown below are three "face-shots" of a single male spider (Phidippus princeps, a species closely related to your audax) taken at different stages; immature, subadult and adult. Click each to see the full-size image. The females at each corresponding age would still have the same palp shape as the immature jumper on the left.

You have taken time to explain things and I really appreciate that. Great series of photos on the life cycle of the spider.

not the only one that can't tell gender with some jumping spiders:) Thank you for the range info. Regius must not like the cold.