Austrachelas incertus

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Eastern Long-Jawed Ground Spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gallieniellidae
Genus: Austrachelas
Species:
A. incertus
Binomial name
Austrachelas incertus
Lawrence, 1938

Austrachelas incertus is a species of spider in the family Gallieniellidae. It is the type species of the genus Austrachelas and is endemic to South Africa. [1]

Contents

Distribution

Austrachelas incertus is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province, with records from elevations ranging from 870–2477 m above sea level. Known localities include Bulwer, Cathedral Peak, Cathkin Peak, Hilton, Karkloof, Ndumeni Forest, Ngome State Forest, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg, and Wakefield Farm. [2]

Habitat

The species is typically collected in pitfall traps or through litter sifting in Grassland and Savanna biomes. [2]

Description

Both sexes are known. The opisthosoma displays cream chevron markings. [2]

Conservation

Austrachelas incertus is listed as Vulnerable due to its small restricted distribution range and ongoing decline in habitat outside protected areas. The species faces threats from infrastructure development around Pietermaritzburg and crop farming around Hilton and Karkloof. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Austrachelas incertus Lawrence, 1938". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Mbo, Z.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Gallieniellidae of South Africa (Report). South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. pp. 1–37. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14065070. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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