Cyatholipus hirsutissimus

Matjiesfontein Tree Sheet-Web Spider
Conservation status
Least Concern  (SANBI Red List)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Cyatholipidae
Genus:	Cyatholipus
Species:	C. hirsutissimus
Binomial name
Cyatholipus hirsutissimus Simon, 1894 [1]

Cyatholipus hirsutissimus is a species of spider in the family Cyatholipidae. It is the type species of the genus Cyatholipus and is endemic to South Africa. ^{[2] [3]}

Distribution

Cyatholipus hirsutissimus is known from the Western Cape and Free State provinces. The species occurs at elevations between 903 and 1385 metres above sea level. It has been recorded from Matjiesfontein, Swartberg Nature Reserve, and the Free State National Botanical Gardens. ^[3]

Habitat

The species inhabits woodlands along hillsides and is commonly found in leaf litter. It has been sampled from the Grassland, Nama Karoo, and Fynbos biomes. Like other members of its genus, it builds small horizontal sheet webs in vegetation. ^[3]

Etymology

The species epithet hirsutissimus is Latin meaning "very hairy", referring to the spider's hairy body. ^[1]

Conservation

The species is protected in two protected areas and has a wide distribution with no known threats. It is considered to be of Least Concern. ^[3]

References

1. Simon, E. (1894). "Histoire naturelle des araignées. Deuxième édition, tome premier". Roret, Paris: 489–760. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.51973.
2. "Cyatholipus hirsutissimus Simon, 1894". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
3. Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Cyatholipidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. Irene. pp. 1–27. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6759933.  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.