Megamyrmaekion transvaalense
Transvaal's Curly-Legged Ground Spider | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Gnaphosidae |
Genus: | Megamyrmaekion |
Species: | M. transvaalense
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Binomial name | |
Megamyrmaekion transvaalense |
Megamyrmaekion transvaalense is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Transvaal's curly-legged ground spider.[3]
Distribution
[edit]Megamyrmaekion transvaalense has a wide distribution across South Africa, occurring in eight provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and Western Cape, at altitudes ranging from 24 to 1,730 m above sea level.[3]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]The species is a free-living ground dweller found in Grassland, Nama Karoo, and Savanna biomes. It has also been sampled from agricultural areas including citrus, cotton, and pistachio crops.[3]
Description
[edit]Only the female of M. transvaalense is known. The spider has a uniform pale testaceous colouration with the integument covered in appressed dark pubescence. The legs are armed with black spines. The fovea is long and dark with slight dark radiations on the surface. Total length excluding spinnerets is 7-9 mm.[3]
Conservation
[edit]Megamyrmaekion transvaalense is listed as Least Concern due to its wide range across South Africa. The species is protected in several protected areas including Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Luvhondo Nature Reserve, and Benfontein Game Reserve.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was described by Tucker in 1923 from the North West Province. It has not been revised since the original description.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Tucker, R. W. E. (1923). "The Drassidae of South Africa". Annals of the South African Museum. 19 (2): 251–437.
- ^ "Megamyrmaekion transvaalense Tucker, 1923". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Gnaphosidae of South Africa. Part 2 (E-S). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 27. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7197672. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
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