Ammoxenus coccineus

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Desert termite feeding spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gnaphosidae
Genus: Ammoxenus
Species:
A. coccineus
Binomial name
Ammoxenus coccineus
Simon, 1893
Synonyms
  • Ammoxenus fallopiusLawrence, 1927

Ammoxenus coccineus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae and the type species of the genus Ammoxenus . It is found in southern Africa and is commonly known as the desert termite feeding spider. [1] [2]

Contents

Etymology

The species name coccineus is derived from Latin, meaning "scarlet" or "deep red", likely referring to aspects of the spider's coloration. [3]

Distribution

A. coccineus has the widest distribution of any Ammoxenus species, occurring in four southern African countries: Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. In South Africa, it is recorded from four provinces with an extent of occurrence of 504,419 km2 and is found at elevations from 376 to 1,400 meters above sea level. [2]

Habitat and ecology

This free-running ground spider lives in sand mounds left by termites and is a specialist predator of harvester termites. When disturbed, individuals dive head-first into sand. The species is found in areas where harvester termites are active and occurs in Forest, Grassland, Nama Karoo, and Savanna biomes. It has been recorded from agricultural areas including cabbage fields and pistachio orchards. [2]

Description

A. coccineus shares the typical Ammoxenus morphology. [2]

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Eugène Simon in 1893 and designated as the type species of Ammoxenus. Ammoxenus fallopiusLawrence, 1927 was later synonymized with A. coccineus by Dippenaar & Meyer in 1980. [4]

Conservation status

A. coccineus is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range and absence of identified threats. It receives protection in Nelshoogte Forest Reserve, Benfontein Nature Reserve, and Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Ammoxenus coccineus Simon, 1893". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N.; Bird, T.L. (2020). "The Ammoxenidae of South Africa. Version 1". South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide: 1–20. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5913561.
  3. ↑ Simon, E. (1893). Histoire naturelle des araignées. Deuxième édition, tome premier. Paris: Roret. pp. 257–488.
  4. ↑ Dippenaar, A.S.; Meyer, M.K.P. (1980). "On the species of the African genus Ammoxenus (Araneae: Ammoxenidae), with descriptions of two new species". Journal of the Entomological Society of South Africa. 43: 41–49.
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