| Van der Merwe's basket-legged spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Corinnidae |
| Genus: | Hortipes |
| Species: | H. merwei |
| Binomial name | |
| Hortipes merwei Bosselaers & Jocqué, 2000 [1] | |
Hortipes merwei is a species of spider in the family Corinnidae. [2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Van der Merwe's basket-legged spider. [3]
Hortipes merwei is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. [3] It has been recorded from several localities including iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Ngome State Forest, Ophathe Game Reserve, and Dukuduku Forest Station. [3]
The species inhabits Forest, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 4 to 1,061 m above sea level. [3] It is strongly associated with leaf litter in woodland and forest habitats, particularly Southern Mistbelt Forest. [3] The species has also been found in commercial pine plantations. [3]
Hortipes merwei is known from both sexes. [3]
Hortipes merwei is listed as Vulnerable by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its small distribution range. [3] The species is relatively widespread in northern KwaZulu-Natal and is quite common in litter samples. [3] It is protected in three protected areas but faces threats from habitat loss due to agricultural activities, silviculture, and degradation around Lake St. Lucia. [3]
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