Copuetta maputa

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Maputaland tree lycosiform sac spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Corinnidae
Genus: Copuetta
Species:
C. maputa
Binomial name
Copuetta maputa
Haddad, 2013

Copuetta maputa is a species of spider in the family Corinnidae. [1] It occurs in Mozambique and South Africa and is commonly known as the Maputaland tree lycosiform sac spider. [2]

Contents

Etymology

The species is named after Maputaland, the coastal plain region where it occurs. [2]

Distribution

Copuetta maputa is found in Mozambique and South Africa. [1] [2] In South Africa, it has been recorded from several areas in KwaZulu-Natal at elevations lower than 100 m above sea level. [2] Throughout its range, it has only been collected along the Maputaland coastal plain at altitudes ranging from 6 to 96 m above sea level. [2]

The species is conserved in two protected areas, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Ndumo Game Reserve. [2]

Habitat and ecology

Copuetta maputa has been collected in various strata of forest and woodland habitats, including shrubs, tree bark, tree canopies, and leaf litter. [2] The species inhabits the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt and Savanna biomes and has also been collected from the walls of houses. [2]

Description

Copuetta maputa is known from both sexes. [2] Like other members of its genus, it is a medium to large spider with a smooth carapace featuring black feathery setae forming different markings. [2]

Conservation

Copuetta maputa is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. [2] The species faces no significant threats and has been recorded from several protected areas. [2]

Taxonomy

The species was described by Charles R. Haddad in 2013 from Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa. [2] It is the type species of the genus Copuetta. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Copuetta maputa Haddad, 2013". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Haddad, C.R.; Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2023). The Corinnidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 30. doi:10.5281/zenodo.8300753 . Retrieved 22 September 2025. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.