Cape Mouse Ground Spider | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Gnaphosidae |
Genus: | Xerophaeus |
Species: | X. phaseolus |
Binomial name | |
Xerophaeus phaseolus |
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]
Xerophaeus phaseolus is endemic to the Western Cape. [3]
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]
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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]
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]