Dendryphantes hararensis is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae.[2] It is endemic to southern Africa and is commonly known as the Harare Dendryphantes jumping spider.[3]
In South Africa, it has been recorded from five provinces: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West. The species has been sampled in six protected areas including Golden Gate National Park, Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve, Mkhuze Game Reserve, Marakele National Park, and Loskop Dam Nature Reserve.[3]
Dendryphantes hararensis inhabits the Grassland and Savannabiomes at altitudes ranging from 131 to 2,826 m. The species is collected from the foliage of shrubs and has also been sampled from pine plantations. These spiders descend from the higher parts of trees onto surfaces below. Their prey includes small flies and hemipterans. Both adult sexes have been observed catching hatchling spiders inside the nests of other spider species such as Trichonephila and Oxyopes.[3]
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Conservation
Dendryphantes hararensis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. In South Africa, it is protected in several protected areas. There are no significant threats to the species.[3]
Etymology
The species is named after Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, where the type specimens were collected.
Taxonomy
Dendryphantes hararensis was originally described by Wanda Wesołowska and Meg S. Cumming in 2008 from Zimbabwe. Both sexes are known.[3]
References
↑ Wesołowska, W.; Cumming, M.S. (2008). "Taxonomy and natural history of a species rich assemblage of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae); a long-term study of a suburban site in Zimbabwe". Annales Zoologici. 58. Warszawa: 167–230.
1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Van der Walt, V.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2025). The Salticidae of South Africa. Part 1 (A-Den). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p.53. doi:10.5281/zenodo.15222559.This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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