Afrarchaea ansieae is a species of spider of the genus Afrarchaea. It is endemic to South Africa.[1]
| Ansie’s Assassin Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Archaeidae |
| Genus: | Afrarchaea |
| Species: | A. ansieae |
| Binomial name | |
| Afrarchaea ansieae Lotz, 2015 | |
Etymology
editThe species is named after South African arachnologist Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman.
Distribution
editAfrarchaea ansieae is known only from its type locality in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The species has been recorded from Hlabisa in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, specifically from the Eastern Shores Nature Reserve.[2]
Habitat
editThe species inhabits grassland environments within the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Biome. It has been collected from litter at the base of grass tussocks.[2]
Description
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (September 2025) |
Afrarchaea ansieae displays the typical characteristics of the genus Afrarchaea, with a greatly elevated cephalic region and elongated chelicerae. Both males and females are known for this species.[3]
Conservation status
editAfrarchaea ansieae is classified as Data Deficient by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species has an extremely restricted range, at an elevation of 5 metres above sea level.[2]
The species may occur in additional sites within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but further sampling is required to determine its true range and population status. The species is currently protected within the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, Eastern Shores Nature Reserve.[2]
References
edit- ↑ "Afrarchaea ansieae Lotz, 2015". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). "South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide: The Archaeidae of South Africa". Version 1: 1–20. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5982745.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license. - ↑ Lotz, L.N. (2015). "A new species of Afrarchaea (Araneae: Archaeidae) from South Africa". African Invertebrates. 56 (2): 409–414. doi:10.5733/afin.056.0211.