Shango capicola is a species of cribellatespider in the family Dictynidae.[3] It is commonly known as the Shango Mesh-Web Spider and is the only species in the monotypic genus Shango.[4] It is only known from South Africa.
Shango capicola is known only from females, though an undescribed male has possibly been collected. Females measure 2 mm in total size while the possible male measures 1.8 mm.[4] The carapace is light brownish yellow with diagnostic brown hairs arranged in longitudinal rows from the cephalic region to the lateral edge.[4]
The eyes are arranged in two rows and the ventral surface is pale. The opisthosoma is long and oval, light grey with chalk bodies and faint chevron markings. The cribellum is entire, and the anterior and posterior spinnerets are short and conical.[4]
Conservation
Shango capicola is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons.[4] Too little is known about the location, habitat and threats of this taxon for a proper assessment to be made.[4] More sampling is needed to collect males and determine the species' range.[4]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Dictyna capicola by Embrik Strand in 1909 from Simon's Town.[4] The placement of the species remains problematic and requires further taxonomic revision.[4]
References
↑ Lehtinen, P. T. (1967). "Classification of the cribellate spiders and some allied families, with notes on the evolution of the suborder Araneomorpha". Annales Zoologici Fennici. 4: 199–468.
↑ Strand, E. (1909). "Spinnentiere von Südafrika und einigen Inseln gesammelt bei der deutschen Südpolar-Expedition". Deutsche Südpolar-Expedition 1901-1905. 10 (5): 541–596.
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