Xerophaeus capensis

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Cape Mouse 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: Xerophaeus
Species:
X. capensis
Binomial name
Xerophaeus capensis
Purcell, 1907 [1]
Synonyms
  • Xerophaeus delphinurusPurcell, 1907
  • Xerophaeus interrogatorPurcell, 1907

Xerophaeus capensis is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. [2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Cape mouse ground spider. [3] This species is the type species of the genus Xerophaeus .

Contents

Distribution

Xerophaeus capensis is recorded from two South African provinces: the Northern Cape and Western Cape. [3]

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 5 to 1358 m above sea level. Xerophaeus capensis are free-living ground dwellers and have been sampled from vineyards as well as natural habitats. [3]

Description

Conservation

Xerophaeus capensis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is protected in Namaqua National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and Table Mountain National Park. There are no significant threats. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1907 from Devils Peak in Cape Town. Tucker (1923) synonymized Xerophaeus delphinurus and X. interrogator, both described by Purcell in 1907, with this species. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes. [3]

References

  1. Purcell, W.F. (1907). "New South African spiders of the family Drassidae in the collection of the South African Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 20 (118): 297–336. doi:10.1080/00222930709487339.
  2. "Xerophaeus capensis Purcell, 1907". World Spider Catalog.
  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 3 (T-X). South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 39. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.