Anyphops leleupi

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Leleup's Anyphops Flat Spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Selenopidae
Genus: Anyphops
Species:
A. leleupi
Binomial name
Anyphops leleupi
Benoit, 1972 [1]

Anyphops leleupi is a species of spider in the family Selenopidae. [2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Leleup's Anyphops flat spider. [3]

Contents

Distribution

Anyphops leleupi occurs in two South African provinces: Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Notable localities include Mariepskop, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Wolkberg Wilderness Area, and Blouberg Nature Reserve. [3]

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 762 to 1407 m above sea level. These are free-living cryptozoic nocturnal spiders that have been sampled from tree bark. [3]

Description

Known only from the female. The anterior tibiae have 6 pairs of inferior spines. Total length is 9.5 mm. [3]

Conservation

Anyphops leleupi is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in multiple reserves including Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Lhuvhondo Nature Reserve, Blouberg Nature Reserve, and Hanglip Forest Reserve. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was described by Benoit in 1972 from Mariepskop in Mpumalanga. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Benoit, P.L.G. (1972). "Notules arachnologiques africaines II". Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines. 85: 177.
  2. "Anyphops leleupi Benoit, 1972". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2 . Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Selenopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 30. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7162139. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.