Platythomisus deserticola

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Botswana Platythomisus Crab Spider
Platythomisus deserticola 15283168.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Thomisidae
Genus: Platythomisus
Species:
P. deserticola
Binomial name
Platythomisus deserticola
Lawrence, 1936 [1]

Platythomisus deserticola is a species of spider in the family Thomisidae. [2] It is found in southern Africa and is commonly known as Botswana Platythomisus crab spider. [3]

Contents

Distribution

Platythomisus deserticola is found in Botswana and South Africa. [2]

In South Africa, the species is recorded from Mpumalanga. [3] It has been found at Skukuza and Pretoriuskop Numbi within Kruger National Park. [3]

Habitat and ecology

Platythomisus deserticola inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 258 to 585 m. [3]

Individuals have been sampled free-living on vegetation. [3]

Description

Conservation

Platythomisus deserticola is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in Kruger National Park. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Lawrence in 1936 from Botswana. [1] Only the female is known. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 Lawrence, R.F. (1936). "Scientific results of the Vernay-Lang Kalahari Expedition, March to September 1930. Spiders (Ctenizidae excepted)". Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 17: 145–158.
  2. 1 2 "Platythomisus deserticola Lawrence, 1936". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern: World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2 . Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Thomisidae of South Africa. Part 2 My-R. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 46. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7513276. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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