Oxyopes affinis

Tanzania Lynx Spider
	female
	female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Oxyopidae
Genus:	Oxyopes
Species:	O. affinis
Binomial name
	Oxyopes affinis; Lessert, 1915

Oxyopes affinis is a species of spider in the family Oxyopidae.^[2] It is commonly known as the Tanzania lynx spider.^[3]

Distribution

Oxyopes affinis occurs in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa.^[2] In South Africa, the species has been recorded from seven provinces at altitudes ranging from 29 to 1,601 m above sea level.^[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species is commonly found on grasses and has been recorded from multiple biomes including Fynbos, Grassland, Savanna, Nama Karoo, and Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biomes.^[3] It is considered a common species that has been sampled from grass in various habitats.

Description

female
female
female

Oxyopes affinis is known from both sexes. Like other members of the genus Oxyopes, it is a lynx spider characterized by long, slender legs with prominent spines and an opisthosoma that tapers to a point posteriorly.^[3]

Conservation

Oxyopes affinis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range.^[3] The species is protected in more than ten protected areas and faces no significant threats.

References

↑ Lessert, R. de (1915). "Araignées du Kilimandjaro et du Merou. 1. Oxyopidae et Agelenidae". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 23: 445.
1 2 "Oxyopes affinis Lessert, 1915". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Oxyopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 14. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.

External links

Citizen science observations for Oxyopes affinis at iNaturalist

[lessert1915-1] Lessert, R. de (1915). "Araignées du Kilimandjaro et du Merou. 1. Oxyopidae et Agelenidae". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 23: 445.

[wsc-2] 1 2 "Oxyopes affinis Lessert, 1915". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.

[dippenaar2020-3] 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Oxyopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 14. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.

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