Rastellus florisbad

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Florisbad lesser termite feeding spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gnaphosidae
Genus: Rastellus
Species:
R. florisbad
Binomial name
Rastellus florisbad
Platnick & Griffin, 1990 [1]

Rastellus florisbad is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is known as the Florisbad lesser termite feeding spider. [2] [3]

Contents

Etymology

The species is named after Florisbad, the type locality in the Free State province where it was first collected.

Distribution

R. florisbad is known from two localities in South Africa: the Florisbad Research Station in the Free State and Ndumo Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. The species has a very limited known range at elevations from 140 to 1,283 meters above sea level. [3]

Habitat and ecology

This very small free-living ground dweller is adapted to life in sandy habitats. Like other Rastellus species, it uses its rastelliform digging scoop to excavate silk-lined burrows. The species has been sampled with pitfall traps from Grassland and Savanna biomes. [3]

Conservation status

The species is currently listed as Data Deficient due to its very limited known range and the need for additional sampling to determine its true distribution. It receives some protection in both known locations: the Florisbad Research Station and Ndumo Game Reserve. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Platnick, N.I.; Griffin, E. (1990). "On Rastellus, a new genus of the spider family Ammoxenidae (Araneae, Gnaphosoidea)". American Museum Novitates. 2995: 1–11.
  2. ↑ "Rastellus florisbad Platnick & Griffin, 1990". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N.; Bird, T.L. (2020). "The Ammoxenidae of South Africa. Version 1". South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide: 1–20. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5913561. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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