Xerophaeus silvaticus

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Eastern 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. silvaticus
Binomial name
Xerophaeus silvaticus
Tucker, 1923 [1]

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

Contents

Distribution

Xerophaeus silvaticus is endemic to the Eastern Cape. [3]

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Thicket biome at altitudes ranging from 81 to 199 m above sea level. Xerophaeus silvaticus are free-living ground dwellers. [3]

Description

Conservation

Xerophaeus silvaticus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is protected in Cwebe Nature Reserve and Silaka Nature Reserve. There are no significant threats, though more sampling is needed to collect males. [3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Tucker in 1923 from Manubi Forest in the Eastern Cape. 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 silvaticus 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. 58. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.