Drassodella quinquelabecula

Western Cape Long-Jawed Ground Spider
male D. quinquelabecula
Conservation status
Least Concern  (SANBI Red List)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Gallieniellidae
Genus:	Drassodella
Species:	D. quinquelabecula
Binomial name
Drassodella quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923

Drassodella quinquelabecula is a species of spider in the family Gallieniellidae. It is endemic to South Africa. ^[1]

Distribution

Drassodella quinquelabecula is endemic to the Western Cape province at elevations ranging from 8–588 m above sea level. Known localities include Caledon (type locality), De Hoop Nature Reserve, Knysna, Swartberg Nature Reserve, Aardvark Nature Reserve, and Matroosberg. ^[2]

Habitat

The species was sampled with pitfall traps and litter sifting from Fynbos and Nama Karoo biomes. ^[2]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Both sexes are known. The opisthosoma is cream brown with five transverse lines on the dorsal surface. ^[2]

Conservation

Drassodella quinquelabecula is listed as Least Concern. While threatened in parts of its range by agricultural practices, it has a wide geographic range and is likely under-collected. The species is protected in De Hoop Nature Reserve, Swartberg Nature Reserve, and Aardvark Nature Reserve. ^[2]

References

1. "Drassodella quinquelabecula Tucker, 1923". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
2. 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.  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.