Austrachelas wassenaari

Last updated

Wassenaar’s Long-Jawed Ground Spider
Rare
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. wassenaari
Binomial name
Austrachelas wassenaari
Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramírez, 2009

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

Contents

Distribution

Austrachelas wassenaari is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province, recorded from the northern coastal parts at elevations ranging from 4–56 m above sea level. Known localities include iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Fanie's Island) and Richards Bay. [2]

Habitat

The species has been found in rehabilitated coastal dune forests previously mined near Richards Bay. As a ground dweller, it appears able to survive habitat modification. It occurs within the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Biome. [2]

Description

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

Conservation

Austrachelas wassenaari is listed as Rare due to its small restricted distribution range. The species is protected in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but additional sampling is needed to determine its full range. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Austrachelas wassenaari 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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