Heliophanus africanus is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Gauteng Heliophanus sunny jumping spider.[3]
| Gauteng Heliophanus Sunny Jumping Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| juvenile female | |
 | |
| juvenile female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Genus: | Heliophanus |
| Species: | H. africanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Heliophanus africanus Wesołowska, 1986[1] | |
Distribution
editHeliophanus africanus is endemic to South Africa,[2] where it is found in Melville Koppies and Irene in Gauteng Province.[3]
Habitat and ecology
editDescription
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (October 2025) |
Conservation
editHeliophanus africanus is listed as Data Deficient by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to limited sampling.The species is presently known only from two localities in Gauteng. Additional sampling is needed to collect the male and determine the species' range.[3]
Taxonomy
editHeliophanus africanus was described by Wesołowska in 1986 from Melville Koppies in Gauteng.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 Wesołowska, W. (1986). "A revision of the genus Heliophanus C. L. Koch, 1833 (Aranei: Salticidae)". Annales Zoologici, Warszawa. 40: 1–254.
- 1 2 "Heliophanus africanus Wesołowska, 1986". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Walt, V. van der; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2025). The Salticidae of South Africa. Part 3 (He-Iran). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 35. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17103454.
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