Xerophaeus phaseolus

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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. phaseolus
Binomial name
Xerophaeus phaseolus
Tucker, 1923 [1]

Xerophaeus phaseolus 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]

Contents

Distribution

Xerophaeus phaseolus is endemic to the Western Cape. [3]

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 3 to 588 m above sea level. Xerophaeus phaseolus are free-living ground dwellers. [3]

Description

Conservation

Xerophaeus phaseolus is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons, though it has a wide geographical range. The species is protected in De Hoop Nature Reserve and Swartberg Nature Reserve. There are no significant threats. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Tucker in 1923 from St Helena Bay, Steenberg Cove. The species has not been revised and is known only from the female. [3]

References

  1. Tucker, R.W.E. (1923). "The Drassidae of South Africa". Annals of the South African Museum. 19 (2): 251–437.
  2. "Xerophaeus phaseolus Tucker, 1923". 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. 55. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.