Austrachelas merwei

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Van der Merwe’s 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. merwei
Binomial name
Austrachelas merwei
Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramírez, 2009

Austrachelas merwei is a species of spider in the family Gallieniellidae. It is endemic to South Africa. [1]

Contents

Distribution

Austrachelas merwei is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province and is known only from Ngome State Forest at an elevation of 1000 m above sea level. [2]

Habitat

During surveys in Ngome State Forest, 37 specimens were collected in pitfall traps in dense forest areas. [2]

Description

Both sexes are known. The opisthosoma displays mottled grey chevron markings and lacks a ventral scutum. [2]

Conservation

Austrachelas merwei is listed as Data Deficient. While protected in Ngome State Forest, the species appears to have a restricted distribution and additional sampling is needed to determine its range. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Austrachelas merwei Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramírez, 2009". 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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