Anansi natalensis

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Anansi natalensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Mimetidae
Genus: Anansi
Species:
A. natalensis
Binomial name
Anansi natalensis
(Lawrence, 1938)
Synonyms
  • Mimetus natalensisLawrence, 1938

Anansi natalensis, commonly known as the Anansi pirate spider [1] , is a species of pirate spider in the family Mimetidae. It is endemic to South Africa. [2]

Contents

Description

A. natalensis is known from both sexes. [1]

Distribution and habitat

Anansi natalensis is a South African endemic with a wide distribution across seven provinces. It has been recorded from the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Western Cape provinces, at elevations ranging from 5 to 1,732 m above sea level. The species occupies all biomes in South Africa except the Desert and Succulent Karoo biomes. [1]

The spider is commonly found in agricultural areas including avocado orchards, citrus groves, cotton fields, and pine plantations, where it preys on other spiders. It has also been recorded from numerous protected areas. [1]

Behavior

Anansi natalensis is a free-living, arboreal spider that specializes in preying on other spiders. It is typically found on vegetation where adequate prey is available. [1]

Taxonomy

The species was first described by R. F. Lawrence in 1938 as Mimetus natalensis from specimens collected in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. [3] In 2017, Benavides, Giribet and Hormiga transferred it to the newly erected genus Anansi based on molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological characteristics that distinguished it from true Mimetus species. [4]

Conservation status

The species is assessed as Least Concern in South Africa due to its wide geographical range, ability to utilize agricultural areas, and presence in at least ten protected areas. No significant threats have been identified. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A. S.; Haddad, C. R.; Foord, S. H.; Lotz, L. N. (2021). The Mimetidae of South Africa. Irene: South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. pp. 1–16. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6783302. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  2. "Anansi natalensis (Lawrence, 1938)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  3. Lawrence, R. F. (1938). "A collection of spiders from Natal and Zululand". Annals of the Natal Museum. 8: 455–524.
  4. Benavides, L. R.; Giribet, G.; Hormiga, G. (2017). "Molecular phylogenetic analysis of "pirate spiders" (Araneae, Mimetidae) with the description of a new African genus and the first report of maternal care in the family". Cladistics. 33 (4): 375–405. doi:10.1111/cla.12174.