Megamyrmaekion velox

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Kalahari Curly-Legged Ground Spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gnaphosidae
Genus: Megamyrmaekion
Species:
M. velox
Binomial name
Megamyrmaekion velox
Simon, 1887 [1]

Megamyrmaekion velox is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. [2] It occurs in southern Africa and is commonly known as the Kalahari curly-legged ground spider. [3]

Contents

Distribution

Megamyrmaekion velox is recorded from Namibia and South Africa. In South Africa, it has been recorded from the Northern Cape province near Springbok. [3]

Habitat and ecology

The species is a free-living ground dweller. [3]

Description

Conservation

Megamyrmaekion velox is listed as Data Deficient due to uncertainty about the species' status. The original description by Simon in 1887 did not provide an exact locality, and while the species is listed as occurring in South Africa, the type material was collected by Dr. Hans Schinz who was known to collect in Namibia. More sampling is needed to confirm the species' identity and distribution. [3]

Etymology

The specific name is Latin for "quick, speedy".

Taxonomy

The species was described by Simon in 1887 but without providing an exact type locality. It has not been revised since the original description, and only the female is known. [3]

References

  1. Simon, E. (1887). "Etudes arachnologiques. 20e Mémoire. XXVIII. Arachnides recueillis dans le sud de l'Afrique par M. le docteur Hans Schinz". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 7 (6): 369–384.
  2. "Megamyrmaekion velox Simon, 1887". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2 . Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Gnaphosidae of South Africa. Part 2 (E-S). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 25. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7197672 . Retrieved 25 September 2025. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.